Explore 限 in words for boundaries, restrictions and deadlines. Learn each reading together with its word.

The idea

限 has 9 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 限る is かぎる; compounds include 制限（せいげん）, 期限（きげん） and 限定（げんてい）.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
限るかぎるWe limit the number of participants to twenty.
制限せいげんThere is a speed limit on this road.
期限きげんThe application deadline is Friday.
限定げんていThis product is available only in summer.

Examples

  • 席せきは限かぎられています。Places are limited.
  • この道みちには速度そくどの制限せいげんがあります。There is a speed limit on this road.
  • 申もうし込こみの期限きげんは金曜日きんようびです。The application deadline is Friday.
  • この商品しょうひんは夏なつの限定げんていです。This product is available only in summer.
  • 参加者さんかしゃの数かずを二十人にじゅうにんに限かぎります。We limit the number of participants to twenty.
  • 時間じかんが限かぎられているので、始はじめましょう。Time is limited, so let’s get started.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

制限 is a restriction, whereas 期限 is a deadline. 限定 marks something as limited to a particular scope; do not use these words interchangeably.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 限る in hiragana.

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    かぎる

    限る is かぎる: 参加者の数を二十人に限ります means we limit the number of participants to twenty.

  2. Write the reading of 期限 in hiragana.

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    きげん

    期限 is きげん: 申し込みの期限 is the deadline for an application.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 制＿（せいげん）［限／眼］.

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    限

    限 completes 制限（せいげん）, a restriction; 眼 is a different character meaning eye.

Use it today

Write 限 using the diagram, cover the table, then read 期限 and 制限. Make a sentence about a deadline.