Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 3: 7/23

(かぎ)って

Particularly when, Those who, Only when

Structure

Noun + (かぎ)って

Details

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    一般

About に限って

The expression (かぎ)って in Japanese is a phrase that has three primary uses, the first is to show that (B) is an unbelievable thing about (A), the second is to express that something is limited to (A), and the third highlights that in most cases for (A), (B). Depending on the particular nuance that is being used, common translations include 'particularly when (A), (B)', 'those who (A), (B)', and 'only when (A), (B)'.
This structure is comprised of に, and the て-form of the う-Verb (かぎ)る 'to limit'. Let's look at a few examples of each potential meaning.
First, when something about (A) is unbelievable due to what is either expected or previously known.
  • うちの()(かぎ)って(ほか)()()()すなんて(かんが)えられない。
    I can't imagine that my child, in particular, would hit another kid.
  • (かれ)(かぎ)って、こんな簡単(かんたん)なことでミスをする(わけ)()い。
    There is no way that he, in particular, would make a mistake on something this simple.
Second, when something is limited to (A).
  • (たけし)くんと()りに()()(かぎ)って、いつも(あめ)()るんだよな。
    Only on days when I go fishing with Takeshi-kun does it always rain.
  • 先輩(せんぱい)(いそが)しい()(かぎ)って()みに(さそ)ってくる。
    My senpai invites me to go drinking with him only on days that I am busy.
Third, when (B) is true in most cases concerning (A).
  • 「クレームを()れるぞ」って()(ひと)(かぎ)ってクレームを()れないからあまり()にしていない。
    I'm not too worried because particularly those who say, 'I'm going to file a claim', never do (file a claim).
  • 絶対(ぜったい)(あと)でやる」って()(ひと)(かぎ)って、いつまでもやらない(ひと)(おお)い。
    Many of those who say, 'I'll definitely do it later', never do.
While each of these uses can roughly be translated as 'only when', it will be important to keep all three meanings in mind when interpreting sentences that use (かぎ)って.

Examples

  • よく節約(せつやく)(くち)にしている(ひと)(かぎ)って給料(きゅうりょう)()()っては、(あと)()につけもしない(ふく)など無駄遣(むだづか)いしがちだ。

    Those who often speak about 'economizing' tend to waste their money on things like clothes they don't even wear whenever they receive salary.

  • (そと)調査(ちょうさ)()かける(とき)(かぎ)って(あめ)()

    It is only when I go out to investigate that it rains.

  • 飛行機(ひこうき)()(とき)(かぎ)って天候(てんこう)(わる)かったりする。

    The weather becomes bad and such particularly when I board an airplane.

  • 定休(ていきゅう)()ではないのに、(ぼく)あの(みせ)()()(かぎ)って臨時(りんじ)休業(きゅうぎょう)している。

    Despite it not being a set holiday, only on days when I go to that store is it temporarily closed.

  • (ぼく)カメラ(わす)れた()(かぎ)って(にじ)()

    Only on days when I forget my camera, do rainbows appear.

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に限って – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • megatron0000

    megatron0000

    The 日本語の森 video is not accessible, just noticing

  • s1212z

    s1212z

    Noticed this for another link as well, are they taking down their older videos?

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