Japanese with Manga

Limited time to catch with 制限時間

Kanji Explanation: Boundaries and limits with 限

Manga panel from ふらいんぐうぃっち showing example of Limited time to catch with 制限時間.
ふらいんぐうぃっち » Volume 10 » Page 45

As a form of exam, Makoto is tasked with catching a plush bear that’s skilled at escaping.

支部長(しぶちょう):
「魔法(まほう)は使(つか)わずに制限(せいげん)時間(じかん)は１時間(じかん)よ」
“Your time limit is one hour during which you cannot use magic.”
Literal: “Without using magic, the time limit is one hour.”

Key Points

1制限(せいげん)時間(じかん) = a fixed time limit for the task
  • 制限(せいげん)時間(じかん) means the allowed amount of time for doing something, so here it is the official time limit for the test.
  • It is more specific than just saying one hour; it means one hour is the maximum time she is being given.
2使(つか)わずに = without using
  • 魔法(まほう)は使(つか)わずに means “without using magic” and gives the condition under which the task must be done.
  • 〜ずに is a written-to-neutral style equivalent of 〜ないで, so the sense is “catch it without using magic”.
3Sentence-ending よ adds firm instruction
  • The final よ gives the statement an assertive, informing tone, which fits someone laying out test conditions.
  • It does not soften the line; it makes the rule sound clearly delivered to the listener.

Vocabulary

(Magic)

魔法(まほう) means magic, sorcery, or a magical spell.

See Also

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