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〜に限る

(X) is the best, nothing beats

Noun / Verb dictionary form / ない-form + に限る

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に限る means "the best thing is": 疲れた時は、寝るに限る, "when you're tired, the best thing is to sleep". 限る means "to limit", so it's "limited to this one": nothing else will do.

It's the speaker's personal conviction, often about everyday pleasures: 夏は冷たいビールに限る, "in summer, nothing beats a cold beer"; 寒い日は温泉に限る.

It follows a noun or a verb in the dictionary or ない-form. The first half often sets a situation with は or 時は.

Compare に越したことはない, which is more general advice, and に限って, "of all times", which is completely different.

Examples

  • 疲つかれた時ときは、寝ねるに限かぎる。

    When you're tired, the best thing is to sleep.

  • 夏なつは冷つめたいビールに限かぎる。

    In summer, nothing beats a cold beer.

  • 旅行りょこうは春はるに限かぎる。

    Spring is the best time to travel.

  • 嫌いやなことがあった日ひは、早はやく寝ねるに限かぎる。

    On a bad day, the best thing is an early night.

  • 寒さむい日ひは温泉おんせんに限かぎる。

    On a cold day, nothing beats a hot spring.

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