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に限らず
N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today
ni kagirazu
not just; not only.. but also~
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🃏 Flashcard
に限らず
ni kagirazu
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not just; not only.. but also~
N2
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading ni kagirazu
Post ID 51082
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

not just; not only.. but also~

📖 How to use it

This pattern means 'not just (X), but also (Y)', emphasizing that the scope is broader than the stated example.

Attaches to Attach に限らず directly to a noun. For verbs, use the plain dictionary form followed by に限らず (e.g., 行くに限らず).

に限らず is used to say that something is not limited to the thing you mention; it applies to other things as well. You often pair it with a contrasting statement like も, でも, or にも to show the breadth. For example, you might say 'This restaurant is not just popular with locals, but also with tourists.' It sounds a bit formal, so it fits written Japanese, speeches, or polite conversation, not casual chat with friends.

The noun can be a person, place, thing, or even a verb in plain form. When you use it with a verb, it often implies 'not only when doing X, but also...' For instance, 'not only when running, but also when walking.' Just remember that the noun or verb form goes right before に限らず, and then you add the extra information with も or にも.

このレストランは日本人に限らず、外国人にも人気がある。
Kono resutoran wa Nihonjin ni kagirazu, gaikokujin ni mo ninki ga aru.
This restaurant is popular not only with Japanese people but also with foreigners.
週末に限らず、平日もいつも混んでいる。
Shūmatsu ni kagirazu, heijitsu mo itsumo konde iru.
It's crowded not only on weekends but also on weekdays.
このアプリは若者に限らず、お年寄りにも使われている。
Kono apuri wa wakamono ni kagirazu, otoshiyori ni mo tsukawarete iru.
This app is used not only by young people but also by the elderly.
Not だけでなく だけでなく is more common in everyday speech and has the same meaning. に限らず is a bit more formal and literary, often used in writing or formal presentations. In casual conversation, prefer だけでなく.
Register This expression is somewhat formal and is often used in written Japanese, news reports, or speeches rather than casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
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に限らず
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat に限らず three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
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Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using に限らず. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern に限らず mean? ▼
Not just; not only.. but also~
What JLPT level is に限らず? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use に限らず in a sentence? ▼
Attach に限らず (ni kagirazu) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is に限らず formal or casual Japanese? ▼
に限らず is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember に限らず long-term? ▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.