“kagirinaku・saigen naku”: Infinitely (approaching) / Endlessly (no end) [JLPT N1]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
Continuing without any limit
“kagirinaku・saigen naku”: Infinitely (approaching) / Endlessly (no end)
Both relate to “without limit,” but differ in use: 限(かぎ)りなく = “infinitely, boundlessly,” most often “approaching … infinitely”: 「合格の見込みは、限りなくゼロに近い」 (the chance of passing is infinitely close to zero), 「限りなく透明に近いブルー」 (a blue infinitely close to transparent); 際限(さいげん)なく = “endlessly, without end,” often negative (continuing endlessly): 「要求が際限なく続く」 (demands continue endlessly).
🧠 Core nuance: 限りなく = approaching infinitely, 際限なく = endlessly (often negative)
Both mean “without limit,” but emphasize differently: 限りなく stresses “approaching some limit infinitely” (限りなくゼロに近い, 限りなく透明に近い), an image of approach, neutral and refined; 際限なく stresses “without end, continuing endlessly,” and often carries a negative, wearisome feel (desires, demands, overtime continuing endlessly). 「欲望には際限がない」 = desires have no end.
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 限りなく ＋ 〜に近い | infinitely approaching | 限りなくゼロに近い |
| 際限なく ＋ verb | endlessly (often negative) | 際限なく続く |
| 〜に際限がない | 〜 has no end | 欲望に際限がない |
💬 Example Sentences
- 合格の見込みは、限りなくゼロに近い。(The chance of passing is infinitely close to zero.) — infinitely approaching
- それは、限りなく透明に近い青だった。(It was a blue infinitely close to transparent.) — approaching
- 彼の要求は、際限なくエスカレートしていった。(His demands escalated endlessly.) — endless (negative)
- 人間の欲望には、際限がない。(Human desires have no end.) — no end
- 残業が際限なく続き、もううんざりだ。(Overtime goes on endlessly, and I'm fed up.) — wearisome (negative)
🔄 Compare: 限りなく vs 際限なく vs 無限に vs どこまでも
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 限りなく | “infinitely (approaching)” (neutral/refined) | 限りなくゼロに近い |
| 際限なく | “endlessly” (often negative) | 際限なく続く |
| 無限に | “infinitely” (quantity/possibility) | 無限に広がる |
| どこまでも | “endlessly, thoroughly” | どこまでも青い空 |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Swapping approaching/endless: for “approaching infinitely” use 限りなく (限りなくゼロに近い); for negative “endless” use 際限なく.
- 際限なく with 近い: ✗ 際限なくゼロに近い → for approaching use 限りなく.
- 限りなく with wearisome negatives: a purely negative “endless to the point of fed up” suits 際限なく.
- Adding を/だ: the adverb modifies; ✗ 限りなくだ高い.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
限りなく・際限なく both express limitlessness: 限りなく is most often “approaching some limit infinitely” (限りなくゼロに近い, 透明に近い), neutral and refined; 際限なく is “without end, continuing endlessly,” often with a negative, wearisome feel (demands, overtime continuing endlessly; desires have no end). Use 限りなく for approaching, 際限なく for endless — don't swap. Master their different emphases and connotations. A must at N1.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- Commonly tested at N1: 限りなく (infinitely approaching, often with 〜に近い); 際限なく (endlessly, often negative).
- Distinction: 限りなく (approaching, neutral) vs 際限なく (no end, negative).
- Collocation: 限りなく ＋ に近い; 際限なく ＋ 続く/に際限がない.
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. 「合格の見込みは、___ゼロに近い。」（無限趨近）
(A) 限りなく (B) 際限なく (C) 少なくとも (D) もっとも
Q2. 「際限なく」の語感は?
(A) 沒完沒了／無止盡（常負面）
(B) 馬上結束
(C) 偶爾
(D) 一點點
Q3. 「限りなく透明に近い」の意味は?
(A) 無限趨近於透明
(B) 完全不透明
(C) 有點透明
(D) 變不透明
Q4. 「欲望には際限がない」の意味は?
(A) 欲望沒有止境／限度
(B) 沒有欲望
(C) 欲望很小
(D) 欲望會消失
Q5. 用法が自然なのは?
(A) 際限なく要求が続く。 (B) 際限なくゼロに近い(接近は 限りなく)。
(C) 限りなく続いてうんざり(負面は 際限なく)。 (D) 限りなくだ高い。
答案解析
1. (A) 限りなく ── 無限趨近於零。
2. (A) ── 沒完沒了/無止盡(負面)。
3. (A) ── 無限趨近於透明。
4. (A) ── 欲望沒有止境。
5. (A) ── 「際限なく要求が続く」正確。