Meaning
限 means to set a boundary or restriction on something. As a verb, it means to limit or restrict; as a noun, it refers to a limit or boundary itself. It's commonly used in contexts involving rules, regulations, time constraints, and quantitative restrictions.
Usage
限 frequently appears in compound words and is often used in formal or official contexts. Common patterns include 限制 (to restrict), 期限 (deadline), 无限 (unlimited), and 有限 (limited). It's also used in signs and regulations like 限速 (speed limit) and 限时 (time limit).
Examples
- 01这条高速公路限速一百二十公里。.This highway has a speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour.
- 02由于时间有限，我们只能讨论最重要的问题。, .Due to limited time, we can only discuss the most important issues.
Common collocations
- 有限limited, finite
- 限于to be limited to
- 限速speed limit
- 不限unlimited, not limited
Antonyms
Origin
The character 限 combines the radical 阝(mound, hill) on the left with 艮 (gěn, meaning firm or stubborn) on the right. The original meaning referred to a boundary marker or threshold at the entrance of a gate, which evolved to mean any kind of limit or restriction.