“〜kagiri”: Scope / Condition / Source of Information [JLPT N2]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
「就我所知」「只要活著」「就這個結果來看」 — three completely different meanings of かぎり.
“〜kagiri”: Scope / Condition / Source of Information
「(verb dict. form/ている/noun の) ＋ 限り」 has three main uses: ① scope/period “as long as 〜, while 〜”: 「私が生きている限り、あなたを支えます」 (as long as I live, I'll support you); ② condition “as long as 〜 (then)” (often with negation): 「努力しない限り、成功はない」 (unless you make an effort, there's no success); ③ source of information “as far as 〜 knows, from what 〜 sees” (〜限りでは): 「私が知っている限りでは、問題はない」 (as far as I know, there's no problem). ⚠️ Core: scope/period (生きている限り), condition (〜ない限り), source of information (知る限りでは). ⚠️ Connection: verb dict. form/ている/noun の ＋ 限り.
🧠 Core nuance: within some scope/condition/known information
The core is within the limit of some scope, condition, or known information, with three uses: ① scope/period ‘as long as …, within the time of …' — expressing the scope of a state's continuation (生きている限り = as long as alive, 体力がある限り = as long as I have stamina, できる限り = as much as possible); ② condition ‘as long as … (then)' — expressing a premise condition, often with negation 「〜ない限り」 (謝らない限り許さない = unless you apologize, I won't forgive, 努力しない限り成功はない = unless you try, there's no success); ③ source of information ‘as far as … knows, from what … sees' — using 「〜限りでは」 to express judging within known scope (私が知っている限りでは = as far as I know, 見た限りでは = from what I saw, 調べた限りでは = from what I investigated). ⚠️ Core distinction: scope/period (verb ている ＋ 限り: 生きている限り); condition (〜ない限り = as long as not …, then …); source of information (〜限りでは = as far as … knows). ⚠️ Contrast with 「以上は」: 限りは = within a continuing scope, a condition (as long as …); 以上は = now that …, then (premise → responsibility). ⚠️ Connection: verb dict. form/ている/noun の (＋ である) ＋ 限り. A multi-use N2 pattern.
📌 How to Connect
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| scope/period | verb ている ＋ 限り | 生きている限り |
| condition (as long as not …) | verb nai-form ＋ 限り | 努力しない限り |
| source of information (as far as … knows) | verb dict. form/た ＋ 限りでは | 知っている限りでは |
💬 Example Sentences
- 私が生きている限り、あなたを支え続けます。(As long as I live, I'll keep supporting you.) — scope/period
- 約束した限りは、必ず守ります。(Now that I've promised, I'll definitely keep it.) — condition (now that …)
- 謝らない限り、彼は許してくれないだろう。(Unless you apologize, he probably won't forgive you.) — condition (as long as not …)
- 私が知っている限りでは、その話は事実です。(As far as I know, that story is true.) — source of information
- 調べた限りでは、問題は見つかりませんでした。(From what I investigated, no problem was found.) — source of information
🔄 Compare: 限り(scope) vs 限り(condition) vs 限りでは(info) vs 以上は
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜限り(scope/period) | “as long as 〜, while 〜” | 生きている限り |
| 〜ない限り(condition) | “as long as not 〜 (then)” | 努力しない限り |
| 〜限りでは(info source) | “as far as 〜 knows/sees” | 知っている限りでは |
| 〜以上は | “now that 〜, you must” (premise → responsibility) | 約束した以上は |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Three uses by context: scope/period (生きている限り), condition (ない限り), info source (限りでは), by context.
- Condition often with negation: the condition use is often with ない限り (as long as not …, then …: 謝らない限り).
- Info source uses 限りでは: ‘as far as … knows' uses 「〜限りでは」 (知っている限りでは, 見た限りでは).
- Distinguish from 以上は: 限りは = scope/condition; 以上は = now that …, then (premise → responsibility).
💡 Nuance & When to Use
「限り」 has three main uses: scope/period ‘as long as 〜, while 〜' (生きている限り, できる限り), condition ‘as long as 〜 (then)' (often with negation: 努力しない限り成功はない), source of information ‘as far as 〜 knows/sees' (〜限りでは: 知っている限りでは). ⚠️ Distinguish from the ‘now that …, you must' 以上は — 限りは scope/condition, 以上は premise → responsibility. Attaches to verb dict. form/ている/noun の ＋ 限り. A multi-use N2 pattern. A must.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- High-frequency N2: 〜限り = scope/period (生きている限り), condition (ない限り), info source (限りでは: as far as … knows).
- Core distinction: 限り (scope/period/condition) vs 限りでは (source of information) vs 以上は (now that …, premise → responsibility).
- Connection: verb dict. form/ている/noun の ＋ 限り; condition often with ない限り, info source uses 限りでは.
🖊️ Practice Quiz
Q1. 「私が生きている___、あなたを支えます。」(scope/continuation) Which is correct?
(A) 限りでは (B) 限り (C) 限りは (D) 以上は
Q2. 「約束した___、必ず守ります。」(responsibility/obligation condition) Which is correct?
(A) 限り (B) 限りでは (C) 限りは (D) からに
Q3. 「私が___限りでは、問題はありません。」(info source: as far as I know) Which is correct?
(A) 知る (B) 知った (C) 知っている (D) 知れる
Q4. 「努力し___限り、成功はない。」(negative condition) Which is correct?
(A) ない (B) た (C) る (D) て
Q5. What's the difference between 「〜する限りは」 and 「〜以上は」?
(A) exactly the same, interchangeable
(B) 限りは emphasizes an ongoing stance/scope; 以上は emphasizes a responsibility that has arisen as a result
(C) 以上は emphasizes an ongoing stance
(D) 限りは is for the past
Answer Key
1. (B) 限り ── 生きている限り = as long as I live (scope/continuation).
2. (C) 限りは? Actually 約束した以上は is most natural; among these 約束した限りは also works for an obligation condition. The intended answer: 限りは (約束した限りは、守ります).
3. (C) 知っている ── 私が知っている限りでは = as far as I know (info source).
4. (A) ない ── 努力しない限り = unless you make an effort (negative condition).
5. (B) ── 限りは emphasizes an ongoing stance/scope; 以上は emphasizes a responsibility that has arisen as a result.