限界|げんかいgenkai[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectivelimit; bound
   あらゆるものに限界げんかいがある。↗

   There is a limit to everything.

• Synonym限度げんどNeutralA limit that must not be exceeded, as in 「我慢にも限度がある」 or 「限度額」. 「限界」 leans toward ability hitting its peak and being unable to hold out any longer.
• SynonymリミットCasualColloquial loanword for a deadline or upper cap, as in 「タイムリミット」. Mostly used for limits on time or numbers.
• Synonym際限さいげんWrittenWritten word for an end or limit; usually appears in negative forms such as 「際限がない」 or 「際限なく」.
• Synonym極限きょくげんWrittenWritten word for reaching the most extreme degree, as in 「極限状態」. Stresses going to the extreme more than 「限界」, and is also a mathematical term.
• Synonym限りかぎりNeutralA limit or extent, often in patterns like 「できる限り」 or 「力の限り」, meaning doing as much as the limit allows.
• SynonymきりCasualColloquial word for an end or cutoff point, seen in 「切りがない」, which means something never seems to finish.
• Related境界きょうかいWrittenWritten word for the dividing line between things, as in 「県の境界」. Focuses on the boundary itself, not the limit of one's ability.
• Related制限せいげんNeutralSetting a bound to restrict something, as in 「年齢制限」 or 「食事制限」; the restriction can be imposed by others or by oneself.
• Related限定げんていNeutralNarrowing a range or quantity down to a set scope, as in 「数量限定」. It is the act of restricting, not an extreme limit.
• Related制約せいやくWrittenWritten word for conditions that constrain freedom, as in 「時間の制約」. The emphasis is on the constraining conditions.
• Related境目さかいめNeutralA dividing point or turning point, as in 「生死の境目」. Common in speech; does not refer to the upper limit of ability.
• Related境界線きょうかいせんNeutralThe line that marks a boundary, as in 「国の境界線」. Refers concretely to a line, not a limit.
• Related局限きょくげんWrittenWritten word for confining something within a certain range, as in 「局限された地域」; close to English 'confine'.
• RelatedバウンダリーWrittenLoanword for a boundary or limit, seen mostly in psychology, IT and similar fields; in everyday speech say 「境界」.
• Antonym無限むげんNeutralWithout limit, endless or infinite; the opposite of 「限界」, which implies an end point.
• Antonym無制限むせいげんNeutralNo restrictions applied, as in 「無制限に使える」; the opposite of having a limit.

Use 「限界」 for the peak of ability or degree, the point beyond which one cannot go. For a limit that must not be exceeded say 「限度」; for imposing restrictions 「制限」; for reaching the extreme 「極限」; for a dividing line 「境界」. 「リミット」 covers time or numerical caps, 「制約」 constraining conditions, 「限定」 narrowing a range, and 「限り」 set phrases like 「できる限り」. Antonyms: 「無限」, 「無制限」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. それを超こすことは不可能ふかのうで、及およぶことのできないぎりぎりのところ。
2. 体力的たいりょくてき・精神的せいしんてきにそこから先さきは耐たえられないという状況じょうきょう。
3. 区域くいきを限かぎること。