限りだ (rida)

Meaning & usage

限りだ expresses a feeling taken to its highest degree, like extremely sad, envious, or grateful. It is used when the speaker wants to emphasize the depth of an emotion in a formal or heartfelt way. It follows an i-adjective directly, as in 寂しい限りだ, and a na-adjective stem with な, as in 残念な限りだ. だ may change to だった for a past feeling, and the pattern is not used for neutral factual descriptions.

Example sentences 8

1. 長年ながねん住すみ慣なれた町まちを離はなれるのは寂さびしい限かぎりだ。

   Leaving the town I lived in for so many years fills me with deep sadness.

2. 後輩が海外勤務に選ばれたと聞き、うらやましい限りだ。

   Hearing that my junior colleague was chosen for an overseas post, I couldn't be more envious.

3. 大勢の前で転んでしまい、恥ずかしい限りだった。

   I fell down in front of a crowd, which was utterly embarrassing.

4. 子どもたちが皆家を出て、毎日がわびしい限りだ。

   With all my children having left home, every day feels profoundly lonely.

5. 合格の知らせを聞いて、嬉しい限りだ。

   I was overjoyed to hear the news that I had passed.

6. 友人が助けてくれて、心強い限りだ。

   I feel incredibly reassured that my friend helped me.

7. 約束を破ってしまい、申し訳ない限りだ。

   I broke my promise, and I feel terribly sorry.

8. 努力が報われず、残念な限りだ。

   My efforts went unrewarded, which is extremely disappointing.