Translation guide
The English word "restrictive" describes something that limits freedom, movement, or scope. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and grammatical patterns that convey limitation, narrowness, or binding constraints.
Describing rules, laws, environments, or conditions that restrict what people can do or how they can act.
The most direct equivalent, used for policies, regulations, or systems that impose limits. Common in formal and written contexts.
This law is restrictive regarding freedom of expression.
Emphasizes binding or confining restrictions, often used for contracts, obligations, or social norms.
The contract is very restrictive and hard to get out of.
Means 'limited' or 'restrictive' in the sense of narrow scope or applicability. Often used for conditions, access, or interpretations.
The application of this rule is restrictive.
Describing clothing, spaces, or physical constraints that limit movement or comfort.
Commonly used for tight clothing, cramped spaces, or situations that feel stifling. Carries a nuance of discomfort.
This jacket is restrictive and hard to move in.
The room is so restrictive it feels suffocating.
Literally 'constricting' or 'tightening', used for clothing or physical sensations that feel oppressively tight.
In linguistics, referring to clauses or modifiers that limit the reference of a noun (e.g., restrictive relative clauses).
Technical term for 'restrictive usage' in grammar, such as restrictive relative clauses. Used in academic or teaching contexts.
This relative pronoun is used in a restrictive sense.
Means 'restrictive modification', used in linguistic analysis to describe modifiers that narrow down meaning.
Describing a diet or lifestyle that severely limits what one can eat or do.
制限的 emphasizes the act of imposing limits, often with a negative connotation of oppression. 限定的 simply means 'limited' in scope or range, and can be neutral or even positive when describing focused efforts.
While 制限する means 'to restrict', using it as an adjective (制限している) to describe a thing can sound unnatural. Prefer 制限的 or rephrase with a relative clause.
This belt feels restrictive.
This adjective functions as a restrictive modifier.
This plan involves a restrictive diet, but it works.