Emphasis, criticism and nuance
～に限って
of all (days, people); only when; (my child) would never
AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)
How to form it
- Noun + に限って
Register: Neutral; spoken
Explanation
Says that something happens, or does not happen, in a surprisingly specific case, often to express bad timing or a firm trust.
With bad events: 'it happens just on that day'. With trust: '(my child) would never do that'.
Examples
急いでいる日に限って、電車が遅れる。
いそいでいるひにかぎって、でんしゃがおくれる。
The train is delayed just on the days when I'm in a hurry.
うちの子に限って、嘘はつかない。
うちのこにかぎって、うそはつかない。
My child, of all children, would never lie.
今日に限って、財布を忘れてしまった。
きょうにかぎって、さいふをわすれてしまった。
Today of all days, I forgot my wallet.
Compare with
- ～に限り: に限り restricts something to a case in an official way; に限って expresses unlucky timing or trust.
Common mistakes
- Mixing it up with に限り (limited to).