What does ～かぎり mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

States that as long as a condition/state continues, the conclusion still holds; or indicates the maximum limit.

• 「～かぎり（は）」 means "as long as A continues, B": while the condition/state lasts, the conclusion still holds.
• It can also indicate a maximum limit: 「できるかぎり」 (as much as possible), 「見わたすかぎり」 (as far as the eye can see).
• Distinguish from 「～ないかぎり」 (unless) and 「～かぎりでは」 (as far as one's known information goes).

Examples

• 体(からだ)が丈夫(じょうぶ)なかぎり、働(はたら)き続(つづ)けたい。

  As long as I stay healthy, I want to keep working.

• できる限(かぎ)りのことはやった。

  I did everything I possibly could.

Keep in mind

• Na-adjectives connect with 「な」; nouns connect with 「である／の」.
• The condition is usually a continuing state (「ている」 form).

Common mistakes

• Wrong元気(げんき)なかぎりに、働(はたら)く。

  As long as I'm healthy, I'll keep working.

  Correct元気(げんき)なかぎり、働(はたら)く。

  「かぎり」 connects directly, without adding 「に」.

• Wrong力(ちから)かぎり、最後(さいご)まで戦(たたか)った。

  I fought with all my strength to the very end.

  Correct力(ちから)の限(かぎ)り、最後(さいご)まで戦(たたか)った。

  A noun connecting to 「限り」 must go through the particle 「の」 (力の限り), not directly.

Exam tips

• 「かぎり」 = as long as / a maximum limit; 「ないかぎり」 = unless.

Related patterns

• ～ないかぎり
• ～かぎりでは
• ～うちは