How to Write 限 (xiàn) — Meaning “limit”

Picture a hill (阝) with a "root" (艮) growing into it, blocking your path like a limit sign. This image helps you remember that 限 means "limit" because the hill and root create an obstacle you cannot pass.

Start by writing the left radical 阝 with two strokes: a horizontal hook and a vertical stroke. Then write 艮: left-falling, horizontal, vertical hook, left-falling, dot — common mistakes include writing the vertical hook too early or making the left radical too wide.

限 has the radical on the left and means "limit," while 邠 and 邡 have the radical on the right and are rare place-name characters. Visually, 限 contains 艮 (root), 邠 contains 豕 (pig), and 邡 contains 方 (square); their meanings and usage are completely different.

限 appears in common words like 限制 (restriction), 有限 (limited), and 期限 (deadline). You will see it on road signs like 限速 (speed limit) or in contracts and schedules to indicate time or quantity boundaries.

Common words containing 限 include: 限制 (xiàn zhì) — restriction; 有限 (yǒu xiàn) — limited; 期限 (qī xiàn) — Deadline; time limit.