〜を限りに
o kagiri ni
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
as of …, no more; from … on (something ends); with all one's …
〜を限りに marks a point after which something stops: 今日を限りにタバコをやめる (as of today, I quit smoking), 今月末を限りに閉店 (closing at the end of this month). 限り = "limit", so the time word is the last day. A second use, 声を限りに / 力の限り, means "with all one's voice / strength".
Formal announcements, resolutions and business notices (closures, retirements, ends of service). The first use always expresses an ending, never a beginning. The second use is literary (声を限りに叫ぶ).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
N(time / event) + を限りに + ending (やめる・閉店する・引退する・終了する)声を限りに / 力の限り (with all one's voice / strength)Set: 本日を限りに・今回を限りに
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Direction | Typical predicate | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜を限りに | something ends after this point | やめる・閉店する・引退する | 今日を限りに禁酒する |
| 〜をもって | a formal cutoff (end or start) | 終了する・開始する | 本日をもって閉店 |
| 〜を皮切りに | something starts and continues | 始まる・広がる | 東京を皮切りに全国ツアー |
Natural examples
今日を限りに、タバコをやめることにした。
きょうをかぎりに、タバコをやめることにした。
As of today, I have decided to quit smoking.
A personal resolution: today is the last day of smoking.
当店は今月末を限りに閉店いたします。
とうてんはこんげつまつをかぎりにへいてんいたします。
This shop will close at the end of this month.
A shop closure notice: 今月末を限りに閉店.
子供たちは声を限りに応援した。
こどもたちはこえをかぎりにおうえんした。
The children cheered at the top of their voices.
The literary use: 声を限りに = with all their voice.
この試合を限りに、彼は現役を引退すると発表した。
このしあいをかぎりに、かれはげんえきをいんたいするとはっぴょうした。
He announced that he would retire from active play after this match.
An event, not only a date, can be the limit.
今回を限りに、こうした特別対応は行いません。
こんかいをかぎりに、こうしたとくべつたいおうはおこないません。
This will be the last time we make such a special arrangement.
Business notice: no more exceptions after this one.
Similar grammar and the difference
A formal cutoff point that can start or end something (本日をもって開始). を限りに only ends. Compare side by side
Marks the first of a series that continues: the opposite direction. Compare side by side
"Since X": a starting point with continuation up to now, not an ending. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 今日を限りに、ジョギングを始める。
- ✓
- 今日から、ジョギングを始める。
- Why
- を限りに marks an end; for a start use から or をもって.
- ✗
- 今日限りに、やめます。
- ✓
- 今日を限りに、やめます。／今日限りで、やめます。
- Why
- The pattern needs を; the alternative is 今日限りで.
- ✗
- 十時を限りに閉店します。（毎日の営業時間）
- ✓
- 十時に閉店します。
- Why
- Daily closing times are simple facts; を限りに is for a permanent end.
The predicate is nearly always a verb of stopping or ending: やめる・引退する・閉店する・終了する・打ち切る. 本日を限りに / 今回を限りに are the most frequent forms in notices. 声を限りに and 力の限り are separate idioms meaning "to the limit of"; do not mix them with the time use.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- A date or event + blank + an ending verb → を限りに.
- The main distractor is をもって; if the sentence could also mean "start", をもって is more likely, and if the verb is やめる / 引退する, を限りに is the natural key.
- In 並べ替え, keep N + を限りに together and place the ending verb after it.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜を限りに mean?
as of …, no more; from … on (something ends); with all one's …. 〜を限りに marks a point after which something stops: 今日を限りにタバコをやめる (as of today, I quit smoking), 今月末を限りに閉店 (closing at the end of this month). 限り = "limit", so the time word is the last day. A second use, 声を限りに / 力の限り, means "with all one's voice / strength".
How do you form 〜を限りに?
N(time / event) + を限りに + ending (やめる・閉店する・引退する・終了する) / 声を限りに / 力の限り (with all one's voice / strength) / Set: 本日を限りに・今回を限りに. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜を限りに used?
Formal announcements, resolutions and business notices (closures, retirements, ends of service). The first use always expresses an ending, never a beginning. The second use is literary (声を限りに叫ぶ).
What is the difference between 〜を限りに and 〜をもって?
A formal cutoff point that can start or end something (本日をもって開始). を限りに only ends.
What is the difference between 〜を限りに and 〜を皮切りに?
Marks the first of a series that continues: the opposite direction.
What is a common mistake with 〜を限りに?
Wrong: 今日を限りに、ジョギングを始める。 Right: 今日から、ジョギングを始める。 を限りに marks an end; for a start use から or をもって.
Quick check
今日（ ）、甘いものは一切食べないと決めた。