Have you ever had one of those days where you’re so exhausted that you feel like a melting ice cream cone?
You think, “There are so many things I could do… but honestly, a long hot bath is the only answer!”

Or imagine it’s a scorching summer day in Japan. You’ve been walking outside for hours, completely drained, and thinking, “Water is fine, tea is okay… but…no, a freezing cold beer is absolutely the best!”

When you want to say that one thing is clearly the best choice, based on your personal experience or strong opinion, that’s when に限る (にかぎる/ni kagiru) comes in.

に限る is an N2 expression that means “nothing is better than” or “this is the best.”
It adds conviction to your opinion, as if you’re saying, “Trust me. This is the ultimate solution.”

Let’s see how to use it naturally in Japanese. Let’s go!

ほうがいい (hou ga ii) vs に限る (ni kagiru)
Both expressions can be used to give advice or state a preference, but the strength of your opinion is different.

ほうがいい (hou ga ii)
ほうがいい is a soft suggestion.
It sounds like friendly advice and leaves room for other choices.

風邪を引いた時は、早く寝たほうがいいですよ。
かぜをひいたときは、はやくねたほうがいいですよ。
kaze wo hiita toki ha, hayaku neta hou ga ii desu yo.
You should go to bed early when you have a cold.

に限る (ni kagiru)
に限る is much stronger and more personal.
It means that among all options, this one is the best in your opinion.

風邪を引いた時は、薬を飲んで寝るに限る。
かぜをひいたときは、くすりをのんでねるにかぎる。
kaze wo hiita toki ha, kusuri wo nonde neru ni kagiru.
When you have a cold, nothing is better than taking medicine and sleeping.

暑い夏は、冷たいビールに限る！
あついなつは、つめたいびーるにかぎる！
atsui natsu ha, tsumetai biiru ni kagiru!
In the hot summer, nothing beats a cold beer!

ストレス解消には、大声でのカラオケに限るよ。
すとれすかいしょうには、おおごえでのからおけにかぎるよ。
sutoresu kaishou niha, oogoe de no karaoke ni kagiru yo.
For stress relief, nothing is better than singing loudly at karaoke.

疲れた時は、ゆっくりお風呂に入るに限るね。
つかれたときは、ゆっくりおふろにはいるにかぎるね。
tsukareta toki ha, yukkuri ofuro ni hairu ni kagiru ne.
When you’re tired, nothing beats taking a relaxing bath.

日本語を上手になりたければ、日本人の友達を作るに限る。
にほんごをじょうずになりたければ、にほんじんのともだちをつくるにかぎる。
nihongo wo jouzu ni naritakereba, nihonjin no tomodachi wo tsukuru ni kagiru.
If you want to get good at Japanese, nothing is better than making Japanese friends.

やっぱり映画は映画館の大きな画面で見るに限る。
やっぱりえいがはえいがかんのおおきながめんでみるにかぎる。
yappari eiga ha eigakan no ookina gamen de miru ni kagiru.
After all, movies are best watched on a big screen at the theater.

下手な言い訳は、しないに限る。
へたないいわけは、しないにかぎる。
heta na iiwake ha, shinai ni kagiru.
It’s best not to make bad excuses.

体調が悪いなら、今日は無理をしないに限るよ。
たいちょうがわるいなら、きょうはむりをしないにかぎるよ。
taichou ga warui nara, kyou ha muri wo shinai ni kagiru yo.
If you’re not feeling well, the best thing to do today is not to push yourself.

• Grammar Point: に限る (ni kagiru)
• JLPT Level: N2
• Meaning: Is the best, nothing is better than
• Quick Explanation: Use に限る when you want to express your strong personal opinion that something is the absolute best choice or solution in a situation.
  
  
  

So that’s how we use に限る.
It’s perfect when you want to confidently share your favorite way of doing something.

日本語を学ぶなら、ひかり先生に限る！って思ってくれたら嬉しいな！
にほんごをまなぶなら、ひかりせんせいにかぎる！っておもってくれたらうれしいな！
nihongo wo manabu nara, hikari sensei ni kagiru! tte omotte kuretara ureshii na!
If you think, “If I’m going to learn Japanese, it has to be Hikari-sensei!”, that would make me so happy!

Now it’s your turn!
Try making your own sentence with に限る and say it out loud or write it down for practice.
Using Japanese in your own words is always the best way to learn.

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

Get Hikari's JLPT Mock Exams & Preparation Lessons!

Whether you are studying to pass the JLPT or looking for a challenge in your learning journey, these courses are perfect for you!