Meaning

Primary

To Limit

Alternative

To Be Limited

Word Type

intransitive verb, transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means limit so the verb vocab version is to limit. It is often used in the passive form 限られる, which means to be limited, implying that the limiting is being done by someone else.

This is a formal word used to define the limits of time, space, or quantity, or to set restrictions on things. It is also used casually when emphasizing something in particular or considering something to be the best.

Reading

かぎる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you: to limit things, you have something called a car () guillotine () which you drive around limiting everything with.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 限らない

    not limited to, not necessarily

    この場合に限る

    limited to this case

    そういうのものに限る

    limited to those kinds of things

Context Sentences

やっぱり、日本語の勉強はトーフグに限るよ。

After all, nothing beats Tofugu when it comes to learning Japanese.

こういう時に限って、忘れ物をしてしまう。

It’s only at times like these that I forget something.

あの新しいレストランは、料理は美味しいけどメニューが限られている。

The food at that new restaurant is good, but the menu is limited.

ビエトが警察に追われるのは今回に限ったことではない。

It's not limited to just this time that Viet was chased by the police.

お風呂の後はビールに限る!

Nothing beats beer after a bath!

Kanji Composition