Limit, Boundary

Interesting Fact

The left side 阝 in 限 is the mound/hill radical, which often appears in kanji connected with places and terrain. The older meaning of 限 was closely associated with a boundary formed by terrain, especially something that blocks or restricts movement. Imagine traveling through ancient Japan: you can walk along a valley, but eventually a mountain wall stops you. That physical experience—“I can go no farther”—is the perfect foundation for the modern meanings of limit and boundary.