N254/217

に限って

N + に限ってPronoun + に限ってN + に限っては

Meanings

  • particularly when
  • those who
  • only when

About this pattern

Explanation

に限って is used to express a strong exception or contrast: something is unusually or especially true for a particular person, thing, or situation, often implying disappointment or surprise when the expected norm is violated. It can indicate that a negative event or an undesirable outcome is especially likely to occur to that specific subject, or that something is true only under that narrow condition. Common contexts include complaints about misfortune happening to a specific person, or stating that a particular circumstance is uniquely true for a certain group or person.

Learn in context

Example sentences

うちの子に限ってそんな大きな嘘をつくはずがないと思っていた。

I never thought my own child would tell such a big lie.

雨の日に限って道が混む。

On rainy days, the roads always get congested.

彼に限ってそんな失礼なことを言うとは信じられない。

I can’t believe he would say something so rude, of all people.

私に限って失敗するなんて考えられない。

I can’t imagine failing, especially me.