日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

～に限って

~ni kagitte

especially in the case of; only when

When to use it

Use ～に限って when singling out one case out of many — typically to complain that trouble strikes precisely at the worst moment (急いでいる時に限って), or, with a negative predicate, to vouch for someone: 「彼に限って…ない」 "he of all people wouldn't." The variant ～に限り is a stiffer, notice-style restriction ("only today," "only for members") common in emails, signage and terms of service.

Formation

  • Noun + に限って — 今日に限って / 彼に限って。This is the core pattern; the noun is usually a time, occasion, person, or case.
  • Verb (plain) + 時／日／場合 + に限って — 急いでいる時に限って。Verbs cannot attach directly; a nominal like 時・日・場合・ケース is required.
  • I-adjective / na-adjective + 時・場合 + に限って — 忙しい日に限って / 大事な会議の日に限って。No direct attachment.
  • Vouching use: 〜に限って＋negative (〜ない／〜はずがない／〜わけがない), used only of people or organizations one trusts.
  • Formal restriction: noun + に限り (＋許可・実施 etc.) in written notices; noun + に限って(の) can also mean "applicable only to."

Examples

  • It's always the urgent cases where the person in charge is out.

  • The trains are delayed precisely on days I have important negotiations.

  • Yamada of all people would never take a deadline lightly.

  • For today only, the meeting will start at 3:00.

  • Inquiries pile up exactly when we're already stretched thin.