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限かぎりAs far as; to the fullest extent

限かぎり marks the fullest range allowed by an ability, perception, memory, effort, or other practical boundary. It often means “as far as one can” or “to the fullest extent possible.”

Reaching the available boundary

The verb or noun before 限かぎり tells you what sets the boundary. The rest of the sentence normally describes using, covering, or reaching that whole available range. The fixed expression できる限かぎり gives a general meaning of “as much as possible,” while a more specific verb can identify the exact ability involved, such as seeing, remembering, or reaching.

Abilities, perception, and effort

Notice that each sentence reaches the maximum allowed by the expression immediately before 限かぎり.

できる限かぎり早はやく対たい応おうします。

I will respond as quickly as I possibly can.

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屋おく上じょうから見み渡わたせる限かぎり、町まちの明あかりが広ひろがっていた。

The city lights stretched as far as I could see from the rooftop.

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覚おぼえている限かぎりの名な前まえを、名めい簿ぼに書かき出だした。

I wrote every name I could remember in the list.

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Here the whole expression modifies 名な前まえ: the names within the full reach of the speaker’s memory.

力ちからの限かぎり坂さかを駆かけ上あがった。

I ran up the hill with all my strength.

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Three different boundaries

できる限かぎり and similar expressions reach the maximum possible extent. By contrast, 限かぎりは usually means “as long as” and makes a continuing state the condition for another result. 限かぎりでは means “as far as the stated information shows” and limits the basis for a judgment. Therefore, do not add では when you mean the fullest possible effort or range.

More examples

見みえる限かぎりの星ほしを数かぞえてみた。

I tried counting all the stars I could see.

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残のこされた時じ間かんで、できる限かぎりの準じゅん備びをした。

With the time remaining, I prepared as thoroughly as I could.

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観かん客きゃくは声こえの限かぎり選せん手しゅを応おう援えんした。

The spectators cheered for the athletes at the tops of their voices.

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手ての届とどく限かぎり、棚たなの本ほんのほこりを拭ふいた。

I dusted the books on the shelf as far as I could reach.

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思おもいつく限かぎりの案あんをノートに書かいた。

I wrote down every idea I could think of in my notebook.

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命いのちの限かぎり、この森もりを守まもり続つづける。

I will keep protecting this forest for as long as I have life in me.

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命いのちの限かぎり has a strong, solemn tone and is suitable for a serious pledge.