JLPT N2 grammar

〜に限って／に限りmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. Only A (A is a special condition)
  2. Shows unfortunate action B right at the time/situation A
  3. Because of trust/confidence/belief in A, B
  4. A has a tendency to B

How to form it

  • nounに限り/に限って
  • verb (plain form)時/人に限って
  • personに限って

How it is used

「〜に限り」 means 'only for' (common in notices); 「〜時に限って」, 'of all times, just when…'; 「うちの子に限って」, 'surely not my child'; 「〜人に限って」, 'it's always the people who…'.

Examples

  1. この魚は本日に限り、一匹五十円だ。

    These fish are 50 yen each, but only for today.

  2. 急いでいる時に限って、電車が遅れる。

    The train is always late just when I'm in a hurry.

  3. 「時間がない」と言う人に限って、よく遊んでいる。

    It's always the people who say they have no time who are out having fun.