限り
kagiri
As long as; while… is the case; as far as
限り sets a condition or scope, meaning 'as long as' or 'as far as'.
How to form it
Attach to a verb in its dictionary form, ている form, or ない form, or to a noun + の, or to a な-adjective + である. Also used with 見る, 聞く, 知る in the form 知る限り, 見る限り, 聞く限り.
What it means
限り expresses a limit or condition under which something holds true. When it means 'as long as', it indicates that while the condition continues, the result is guaranteed. For example, 頑張る限り、夢は叶う means 'as long as you keep trying, your dream will come true.' It can also mean 'as far as', based on the speaker's knowledge or observation, as in 私が知る限り、彼は真面目だ ('as far as I know, he is serious').
Example sentences
頑張る限り、夢は叶うよ。
Ganbaru kagiri, yume wa kanau yo.
As long as you keep trying, your dreams will come true.
私が知る限り、彼は嘘をついたことはない。
Watashi ga shiru kagiri, kare wa uso o tsuita koto wa nai.
As far as I know, he has never lied.
健康である限り、仕事を続けたいです。
Kenkou de aru kagiri, shigoto o tsuzuketai desu.
As long as I am healthy, I want to keep working.
Don’t confuse it with
うちは
うちは means 'while (a state continues)' and focuses on a period, often with a nuance of change after it. 限り focuses on a condition that guarantees something. For example, 元気なうちに (while you are energetic) vs. 元気な限り (as long as you are energetic).
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限り is used in both spoken and written Japanese, but certain set phrases like 知る限り are more common in formal or expository writing.
Next in the N2 path
25Questions
What does 限り mean?
As long as; while… is the case; as far as. 限り sets a condition or scope, meaning 'as long as' or 'as far as'.
How do you form 限り?
Attach to a verb in its dictionary form, ている form, or ない form, or to a noun + の, or to a な-adjective + である. Also used with 見る, 聞く, 知る in the form 知る限り, 見る限り, 聞く限り.
Example of 限り in a sentence
頑張る限り、夢は叶うよ。 — As long as you keep trying, your dreams will come true.
うちは — what is the difference?
うちは means 'while (a state continues)' and focuses on a period, often with a nuance of change after it. 限り focuses on a condition that guarantees something. For example, 元気なうちに (while you are energetic) vs. 元気な限り (as long as you are energetic).
What JLPT level is 限り?
JLPT N2 (upper intermediate), number 24 of 195 in Nihoner's learning order for N2.
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