に限らず
Not Limited to
Noun + に限らず
Meaning: "Not limited to..." / "Not just... but also..."
How It Works
The expression に限らず（にかぎらず） literally means "without limiting to." It is used when you want to emphasize that a certain fact or trend isn't restricted to one specific thing, person, or place, but extends to a broader category.
Key Characteristics:
- Broadening Scope: The second part of the sentence usually contains a word that represents a wider range, such as みんな（みんな） (everyone), 世界中（せかいじゅう） (all over the world), or 全般（ぜんぱん） (in general).
- Inclusive Particles: The second clause requires an inclusive or emphatic particle to link the broader group. While も (also) is the most frequent, particles like さえ (even), まで (even to the extent of), and でも (even) are also commonly used.
- Formal Register: While understood in daily conversation, it is primarily used in written Japanese or formal presentations.
Grammar Note:
It primarily attaches to Nouns. While it is theoretically possible to attach it to verbs by using こと, this is quite rare. In most cases, a noun is used directly.
Examples (4)
- 最近は女性に限らず、男性も化粧をするようになった。
Lately, not only women but also men have started wearing makeup.
Word by Word: Recently, not limited to women, men also makeup (do) became.
Here, the scope of 'people who wear makeup' is broadened from just women to include men as well.
- この映画は子供に限らず、大人も楽しむことができる。
This movie can be enjoyed not only by children but by adults as well.
Word by Word: This movie, not limited to children, adults also enjoy can.
The speaker is emphasizing that the movie's appeal is not restricted to a young audience.
- 日本のアニメは日本国内に限らず、世界中で愛されている。
Japanese anime is loved not just within Japan, but all over the world.
Word by Word: Japan's anime, not limited to Japan's inside, world-middle in is being loved.
The scope expands from 'inside Japan' to the 'entire world'.
- 週末に限らず、この店はいつも混んでいる。
Not just on weekends, this shop is always crowded.
Word by Word: Weekends not limited to, this shop always is crowded.
This shows the pattern can be used with time-related nouns to show a constant state.
Common Mistakes
Using it to list two unrelated items.
私はリンゴに限らず、パンも食べました。私はリンゴに限らず、果物は全般的に好きです。に限らず is for broadening scope to a category. Apples and bread are unrelated items; for simple addition, use だけでなく. The correct example works because 'fruit' is the broader category that includes apples.
Thinking only the particle も can be used in the second clause.
この本は子供に限らず、大人を読みます。この本は子供に限らず、大人も（あるいは大人でさえ）読みます。The second clause requires an inclusive or emphatic particle to show the scope has expanded. While も is most common, other particles like さえ, まで, or でも are also used to emphasize the breadth of the category.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'に限らず', you need to know the particle 'に' and the concept of verb negation. It is also helpful to understand the more common 'だけでなく' (not only) pattern, as 'に限らず' serves a similar function but with a broader, more formal scope.
Related Patterns
- だけでなくNot Only
The casual and general version of 'not only... but also.' It is used for simple addition rather than specifically broadening a scope.
Level 3 - に限ってOnly When/limited to
The opposite of に限らず; it means 'only' or 'specifically,' often used to highlight an exception or 'just my luck' situations.
Level 3 - はもちろんNot to Mention
Means 'not to mention' or 'A goes without saying, but also B.' It places more emphasis on the fact that A is an obvious example.
Level 3 - を問わずRegardless of
Means 'regardless of.' While に限らず includes the first item in a larger group, を問わず states that the first item (or category) does not matter at all.
Level 3 - もAlso/too
The most common inclusive particle used in the second half of a に限らず sentence, though others like さえ or まで are also possible.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice に限らず in Bubblegum
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