Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
The basic meaning of ~に限らず (~ni kagirazu) is “not limited to…”, “not only…”, or “not restricted to…”. It indicates that something applies to a broader range or group than what is explicitly stated.
🎯 Primary Function
Its primary function is to expand the scope or range of something, implying that a certain situation, condition, or characteristic is true for a specific example, but also for many others, often extending to a universal application.
📋 Grammar Structure
Noun + に限らず
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly common in formal settings such as business presentations, academic papers, official announcements, and news reports, where precision and comprehensive statements are valued.
Informal Situations
Less frequently used in casual conversations, where simpler expressions like 「～だけでなく」 (~dake de naku) are more common.
Written Language
Very common in written Japanese, including articles, reports, essays, and legal documents, to convey a sense of broad applicability.
Spoken Language
Used in more formal speeches, lectures, or discussions rather than everyday informal conversations.
💡 Common Applications
Expanding Scope/Applicability
Used to state that a particular situation or phenomenon is not confined to a specific example or category but extends to a wider range of items, people, or situations.
Example: このサービスは、学生に限らず、社会人も利用できます。(Kono sābisu wa, gakusei ni kagirazu, shakaijin mo riyō dekimasu.) – This service is not limited to students; working adults can also use it.
Emphasizing Inclusivity
Highlights that something applies to everyone or a very broad group, emphasizing that a specific characteristic or group is just one example within a larger, inclusive set.
Example: 性別に限らず、能力のある人材を求めています。(Seibetsu ni kagirazu, nōryoku no aru jinzai o motometeimasu.) – We are looking for talented individuals, not limited by gender.
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Frequency
High in formal and written contexts; moderately frequent in formal spoken Japanese. Essential for JLPT N2.
Difficulty
JLPT N2
Example Sentences
この図書館は、学生に限らず、一般の人も利用できます。
This library is not limited to students; the general public can also use it.
最近は、東京に限らず、地方でも国際イベントが開催されています。
Recently, international events are being held not only in Tokyo but also in regional areas.
このソフトウェアは、プロのデザイナーに限らず、初心者にも使いやすいです。
This software is user-friendly not only for professional designers but also for beginners.
この図書館は、学生に限らず、地域の人々にも開放されています。
This library is open not only to students but also to local residents.
この制度は、日本国内に限らず、海外でも適用されます。
This system is applied not only within Japan but also overseas.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Implies a Broader Scope
~に限らず always suggests that the scope of what is being discussed extends beyond the explicitly mentioned item. It is not just “A,” but “A and much more” or “A and everyone else.”
Example: この美術館は、絵画に限らず、彫刻や写真も展示しています。(Kono bijutsukan wa, kaiga ni kagirazu, chōkoku ya shashin mo tenji shiteimasu.) – This museum exhibits not only paintings but also sculptures and photographs.
Often Followed by 「～も」「～まで」
To emphasize the expanded scope, it is frequently followed by particles like 「も」 (also, even) or 「まで」 (even, up to).
Example: 大人に限らず、子供までが夢中になった。(Otona ni kagirazu, kodomo made ga muchū ni natta.) – Not only adults, but even children became engrossed.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using for simple enumeration
✅ Use 「～だけでなく」 for simple additions or lists.
While grammatically possible, 「~に限らず」 carries a stronger nuance of expanding a perceived limit. For simple “not only A but also B” without the emphasis on breaking a limit, 「~だけでなく」 is more natural.
❌ Confusing with 「～にかかわらず」
✅ 「～に限らず」: Not limited to A, but also B, C…; 「～にかかわらず」: Regardless of A, it’s still B.
「～に限らず」 (not limited to) focuses on extending the scope beyond a specific example. 「～にかかわらず」 (regardless of) states that something is true irrespective of a certain condition.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral to formal. It is suitable for all formal situations and maintains a respectful tone.
Social Situations: Often used in situations requiring clear, inclusive language, such as policy descriptions, public announcements, and educational materials.
Regional Variations: There are no significant regional variations in the usage or meaning of ~に限らず.
🔍 Subtle Differences
~に限らず vs. ~だけでなく
~に限らず emphasizes that the first item is just one example, and the application extends broadly, often implying a general principle or rule. It has a slightly more formal and encompassing tone. ~だけでなく simply states “not only A, but also B” as an additive expression, without necessarily implying a broad, universal reach.
When to use: Use ~に限らず when you want to highlight that the item mentioned is merely one instance, and the scope is much broader or universal. Use ~だけでなく for straightforward additions or enumerations.
~に限らず vs. ~ばかりでなく
~ばかりでなく is similar to ~だけでなく but can sometimes carry a stronger nuance of “not only… but also (surprisingly/additionally).” It can be more emphatic and conversational. ~に限らず is generally more formal and less conversational.
When to use: Use ~に限らず in formal contexts for a broad, encompassing statement. Use ~ばかりでなく when you want to add emphasis to the second part, often in a slightly more conversational tone.
~に限らず vs. ~にとどまらず
Both express “not limited to,” but ~にとどまらず often implies a progression or expansion from a smaller scale to a larger one, suggesting a growth or spread. ~に限らず is more about inclusivity or a broad application from the outset.
When to use: Use ~に限らず for general statements of broad applicability or inclusivity. Use ~にとどまらず when emphasizing a development or expansion beyond an initial stage or boundary.
📝 Conjugation Notes
This pattern attaches directly to nouns. It does not conjugate based on tense or politeness levels, as 「限らず」 is an adverbial phrase modifying the subsequent clause.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce 「に」 (ni) clearly, like the English “nee.” 「限らず」 (kagirazu) should be pronounced with clear, crisp Japanese vowels. The “zu” at the end is a voiced “s” sound.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of the kanji 限 (kagi) meaning “limit.” So, 「限らず」 means “without limiting” or “not limited to.” Visualize a boundary that is being crossed or expanded.
Vocabulary List
図書館
toshokan
library
学生
gakusei
student
一般の人
ippan no hito
general public
利用する
riyou suru
to use, to utilize
最近
saikin
recently
東京
Tōkyō
Tokyo
地方
region, local area
Kanji List
限
かぎ
limit, restrict
図
ず
drawing, diagram (part of 図書館)
学
がく
study, learning (part of 学生)
生
せい
life, birth (part of 学生)
一
いち
one (part of 一般)
般
はん
general (part of 一般)
人
ひと
person (part of 人、日本人、外国人)
利
り
profit, advantage (part of 利用)
用
よう
use, business (part of 利用)
最
さい
most, utmost (part of 最近)
近
きん
near (part of 最近)
Practice Exercises
このレストランは、( )、子供も楽しめるメニューがあります。
大人ばかりでなく
大人にかかわらず
大人にもかかわらず
大人に限らず
最近のスマートフォンは、( )、誰でも美しい写真が撮れるようになりました。
プロのカメラマンにかかわらず
プロのカメラマンに限らず
プロのカメラマンばかりでなく
プロのカメラマンにもかかわらず
この番組は子ども( )、大人にも人気がある。
にかかわらず
に限って
に限らず
について
最近は若者( )、高齢者の間でもスマートフォンが使われている。
にかかわらず
ばかりでなく
に限って
のように
環境問題は一国( )、全世界で取り組むべき課題だ。
にかぎって
のみならず
ばかりか
に限らず
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