only when, especially, of all things

Intermediate

20-25 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Emphasizes unfortunate or unexpected limitation.

[Noun] + に限って

傘を持っていない時に限って、雨が降る。

Kasa wo motte inai toki ni kagitte, ame ga furu.

It rains especially when I do not have an umbrella.

うちの子に限って、そんなことはしない。

Uchi no ko ni kagitte, sonna koto wa shinai.

My child, of all people, would not do such a thing.

Often expresses frustration or disbelief.

～に限らず

not limited to, not only

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

Often has negative connotation.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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