A notice can use に限り to say exactly which people, times or situations a rule applies to.

The idea

Place に限り after a noun or noun phrase: 会員に限り restricts eligibility to members, while 本日に限り restricts the period to today. The following clause states what applies within that boundary. It is common in formal notices.

Examples

  • 本日ほんじつに限かぎり、入場にゅうじょうは無料むりょうです。Admission is free today only.
  • 会員かいいんに限かぎり、割引わりびきが受うけられます。Only members can receive a discount.
  • 平日へいじつに限かぎり、この部屋へやを使つかえます。This room can be used on weekdays only.
  • 初回しょかいに限かぎり、送料そうりょうが無料むりょうになります。Shipping is free for the first order only.
  • 予約よやくした方かたに限かぎり、参加さんかできます。Only those who have reserved may participate.
  • 雨天うてんに限かぎり、会場かいじょうを変更へんこうします。The venue will be changed only in case of rain.

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Watch out

Do not confuse this restriction with に限る meaning “the best choice is” or with 限り meaning “as long as”. In casual speech だけ often expresses “only”, but に限り sounds more official.

Try it yourself

  1. 本日ほんじつ＿＿、入場にゅうじょうは無料むりょうです。

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    に限り

    に限り — 本日 sets the date on which admission is free.

  2. 会員かいいん＿＿、割引わりびきが受うけられます。

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    に限り

    に限り — 会員 identifies the people eligible for the discount.

  3. 雨天うてん＿＿、会場かいじょうを変更へんこうします。

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    に限り

    に限り — 雨天 limits the change of venue to the case of rain.

Use it today

Write a notice offering a discount only to members, then change its scope to today only.