Japanese grammar
What does ～にかぎって mean? Japanese grammar N2
～にかぎって means only in the case of… (specifically); precisely when/in the case that… (usually unluckily).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + に限って |
| Romaji | nikagitte |
| Meaning | only in the case of… (specifically); precisely when/in the case that… (usually unluckily) |
Forming it
| Noun (person) | うちの子 + に限って |
|---|---|
| Noun (point in time) | 急いでいる時 + に限って |
How to use it
Singles out ONE unusual case; often used when something happens at exactly the wrong moment, or to defend "that one in particular is not like that".
- 「～に限って」 singles out ONE case as being unusual: (a) defending "that one in particular would absolutely never…" (うちの子に限って); (b) bad luck: something happens at exactly the wrong moment.
- Meaning (b) often goes with 「時／日」: "it's exactly at the time… that…".
- Different from 「に限らず」 (not limited to) and 「を問わず」 (regardless of).
Examples
急いでいる時に限って、電車が遅れる。
Of all times, the train is late exactly when I’m in a hurry.
うちの子に限って、嘘をつくはずがない。
My child of all people would never tell a lie.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to a noun.
- Carries a nuance of complaint or a strong assertion about one particular case.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong日曜日に限って、出かける。
It's exactly on Sundays that I go out.
Correct日曜日に限って、雨が降る。
「に限って」 (the "bad luck" meaning) states something UNUSUAL/unfavorable happening in exactly that case, not a neutral event.
-
Wrong若い人に限って、人気だ。
Not only young people but everyone likes it.
Correct若い人に限らず、人気だ。
"Not limited to" uses 「に限らず」; 「に限って」 emphasizes ONE particular case.
Exam tips
- 「に限って」 = that one in particular (defending) / at exactly the unlucky moment; different from 「に限らず」 (not only).