Of all times to happen with 〜に限って

Grammar: Limit

〜に限(かぎ)って is used to emphasize an exception, a special case, or something that happens only under certain circumstances. In English, it can often be translated as “only in the case of…”, or “especially when…”, or “of all the times”.

Usage

This grammar typically highlights a situation that stands out as unexpected or contrary to what one might hope for. It is often used with negative or undesirable outcomes, having a sense of complaint, irony, or frustration, but it can also emphasize unique or specific cases.

It generally attaches to nouns indicating time, situations, or conditions to emphasize the untimely nature of an event.

Formation

1. Noun + に + 限(かぎ)って
   • 傘(かさ)を持(も)っていない日(ひ)に限(かぎ)って雨(あめ)が降(ふ)った
   • "Only on the day I didn't bring an umbrella, it rained."

Examples

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Lunch duty today of all days with 〜に限って

Komura and Mie have serving duty in the cafeteria. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, except today Mie accidentally stepped on her glasses and broke them, and can barely see without them.

木村(こむら):

「そしてそんな日(ひ)に限(かぎ)って給食(きゅうしょく)当番(とうばん)」

“Thus, on a day such as that (of all days), she has lunch duty.”

「だから今日(きょう)も俺(おれ)が三重(みえ)さんをサポートしようと思(おも)っただけど…」

“Therefore, I thought I'd support Mie today as well, but...”

男(おとこ)の子(こ):

「まま待(ま)って待(ま)って待(ま)って」

“W-w-wait, wait, wait!”