Meaning
〜に限って/に限り has two main uses: (1) to indicate a restriction or limitation to a specific number, time, or condition, and (2) to express that something happens exclusively or particularly in a certain situation, often with a sense of irony or misfortune. The particle に限り is the more formal written form.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 名詞 | に限って/に限り |
Examples
-
100人に限り
Limited to 100 people -
木曜日に限って
Only on Thursdays -
このスーパーは、毎週木曜日に限り、肉が全品半額になります。
This supermarket offers all meat at 50% off only on Thursdays every week. -
A:どうしてこの時間になっても帰らないの? B:今朝出かける時に、鍵を家に忘れちゃったんだ。しかも今日に限って親は残業で帰りがどこも遅くなってである。
Q: Why won't you go home even at this hour? A: This morning when I left, I forgot my keys at home. And of all days, today my parents have to work late and will return home very late. -
本日に限り、ツアーをお申し込みいただだきましたお客様に無料レンタカーが付きます。
Only today, customers who apply for our tour package will receive a free rental car.
Summary
- Use に限って/に限り to express restrictions or limitations to specific times, numbers, or conditions
- Can also indicate that something happens exclusively or particularly in one situation, often implying misfortune or irony
- に限り is the formal written form; に限って is slightly more casual and commonly used in both speech and writing