How to use 限り(kagiri): A Streetwise JLPT N2 Grammar Guide

blasting

たまがあるかぎり、おれつづけるぞ。
As long as I got ammo, I’m gonna keep blasting.

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Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.

Today we’re dissecting ~限り (kagiri). Think of this like your territory. As long as you stay within the lines, everything is cool. But the second you step out? Game over.


The Lowdown on ~限り (Kagiri)

In the streets, everything is conditional. ~限り basically means “as long as”. It’s about setting the boundaries of a situation.

The nuance here is all about limitations. It’s like saying, “As long as the feds ain’t watching, we keep grinding.” If the first part of the sentence stays true, the second part stays true. It’s the ultimate “loyalty” grammar—it stays with you until the conditions change.

Common Situation: You’d use this when you’re laying down the law or making a pact. Like in The Wire, Stringer Bell might say, “As long as we got the best product, the Westside is ours.” It’s used for negotiations, warnings, or those ride-or-die promises.


Grammar Conjugation Guide.

Read the table below then use it to conjugate some words you know.

Yo, check the blueprint below. You gotta make sure your words fit together like a clean pair of J’s.

Part of SpeechConjugationExampleTranslation
VerbDictionary Form / StandardきているかぎAs long as I’m breathing
Negative Verb(~ない)白状はくじょうしないかぎUnless you snitch
I-AdjectiveKeep the ~いわかかぎAs long as you’re young
Na-AdjectiveAdd ~な or ~である元気げんきかぎAs long as you’re healthy
NounAdd ~である仲間なかまであるかぎAs long as we’re homies

To get this right, you usually just drop the word in its plain form right before 限り. If you’re using a Noun or a Na-Adjective, you gotta throw that である in there to keep it formal and heavy, though with Na-Adjectives, works just fine for that everyday talk. It’s like putting a silencer on a piece—it makes the connection smooth so nobody hears it coming.


Example sentences

Read and master the example sentences below.

証拠しょうこがないかぎり、サツはおれたちを逮捕たいほできない。
Unless there’s evidence, the cops can’t bust us.

やつくちらないかぎり、おれ秘密ひみつ安全あんぜんだ。
As long as that guy doesn’t spill his guts, my secrets are safe.

かねはらかぎり、ボディーガードはあんたをまもる。
As long as you pay the cash, the bodyguards will protect you.

きているかぎり、復讐ふくしゅうのチャンスはある。
As long as I’m breathing, there’s a chance for revenge.

健康けんこうであるかぎり、強盗ごうとうつづけられる。
As long as I’m healthy, I can keep on robbing.

だまっているかぎり、おまえ家族かぞくにはさない。
As long as you keep your mouth shut, I won’t touch your family.

監視かんしカメラがあるかぎり、迂闊うかつ真似まねはできない。
As long as there are security cameras, we can’t do anything stupid.

やみ医者いしゃきてるかぎり、弾丸だんがんいてもらえる。
As long as the underground doctor is alive, he can dig these bullets out of me.

裏切うらぎものがいるかぎり、この組織そしき未来みらいはない。
As long as there’s a snitch among us, this organization has no future.

組員くみいんであるかぎり、親父おやじ命令めいれい絶対ぜったいだ。
As long as you’re a member of this syndicate, the boss’s orders are absolute.


Stay dangerous.

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