Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 7: 13/21

に限(かぎ)る
nothing better than, there's nothing like, limited to

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[る](1) + に限る
Noun + に限る

(1) Verb[ない]
Verb[る](1) + に限ります
Noun + に限ります

(1) Verb[ない]
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
に限(かぎ)る is a combination of the 格助詞(かくじょし) (case marking particle) (marking a location), and the う - Verb 限(かぎ)る ‘to limit’. This expression can be translated as ‘there’s nothing better than (A)’, or ‘there’s nothing like (A)'.
に限(かぎ)る may be paired with verbs in their base form, or with nouns.
  • 暑(あつ)い日(ひ)は冷(つめ)たいシャワー浴(あ)びるに限(かぎ)る
    There is nothing better than taking a cold shower on a hot day.
  • 回転(かいてん)寿司(すし)はくら寿司(ずし)に限(かぎ)る
    There is nothing better than Kurazushi when it comes to kaiten-sushi.
に限(かぎ)る may also appear with verbs that have been negated with the 助動詞(じょどうし) (auxiliary verb) ない. Care will need to be taken with translating these sentences, as they will express that ‘there is nothing better than -not- doing (A)'.
  • 寒(さむ)い日(ひ)は温(あたた)かい部屋(へや)出(で)ないに限(かぎ)る
    There is nothing better to do than not leaving your warm room on a cold day.
  • 休(やす)み日(ひ)は仕事(しごと)しないに限(かぎ)る
    There is nothing better than doing no work on a day off.
Fun Fact
The literal meaning of 限(かぎ)る is 境(さかい)付(つ)ける ‘to set a boundary’. This means that marks the location (or situation), within which the speaker then states as being ‘the boundary’. Because of this, ‘to be bound to’, or ‘to be limited to’, are also possible translations of に限(かぎ)る.
  • 暑(あつ)い日(ひ)はアイスクリーム食(た)べるに限(かぎ)る
    I am bound to eat ice cream on a hot day.
  • この施設(しせつ)利用(りよう)できるこのアパート住民(じゅうみん)に限(かぎ)る
    Using this facility is limited to those who live in this apartment complex.
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ダイエットをしたいなら、運動(うんどう)するに限(かぎ)る
There is nothing better than exercise when it comes to losing weight.
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アルバイト募集(ぼしゅう)中(ちゅう)。ただし、英語(えいご)ができる人(ひと)に限(かぎ)る
They are hiring. However, the position is only limited to people who can speak English.
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家具(かぐ)買(か)うなら、この店(みせ)に限(かぎ)る
If you are going to buy furniture, there is nowhere better than this place.
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Online
Books
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 188