JLPT N2 Limits, exceptions, and minimums
のみ and でしかない restrict something, に過ぎない belittles it as "merely", and を除いて and 以外 carve out exceptions. に限り and に限って both limit, but に限って adds "of all times" frustration. せめて and 少なくとも set a minimum, with せめて expressing a wish rather than a count.
14 N2 grammar points in this group
のみ (nomi): only; nothing but
Use のみ when you want to state a strict or formal limitation.
参加できるのは会員のみです。 — Only members can participate.
以外 (igai): with the exception of; excepting
Use 以外（いがい） when you want to express that everything or everyone except the named thing or person.
私以外、誰も知らない。 — No one knows except me.
を除いて (o nozoite): except for; excluding
Use を除いて when you want to remove one item from a group or condition.
日曜日を除いて、毎日営業しています。 — We are open every day except Sunday.
抜きにして / 抜きで (nuki ni shite nuki de): without; leaving out
Use 抜きにして / 抜きで when you want to say something is omitted, excluded, or set aside.
冗談抜きで、この計画は見直すべきだ。 — Joking aside, this plan should be reviewed.
はともかく (wa tomokaku): leaving aside; regardless of
Use はともかく when you want to set one matter aside to focus on another.
値段はともかく、品質はとてもいい。 — Leaving the price aside, the quality is very good.
に限り (ni kagiri): limited to or only for
Use に限り when you want to show that something applies only within a named condition, group, time, or case.
本日に限り、全品半額です。 — Today only, all items are half price.
に限って (ni kagitte): especially; of all times
Use に限って when you want to single out a particular person, group, or unlucky timing.
急いでいる日に限って、電車が遅れる。 — On the very days when I'm in a hurry, the train is delayed.
でしかない (de shika nai): merely; nothing but; no more than; there is only
Use でしかない when you want to express that reducing something to being merely or nothing more than what is stated.
それはただの夢でしかない。 — That is nothing more than a dream.
に過ぎない (ni suginai): nothing more than; merely
Use に過ぎない when you want to downplay something as only a limited amount, status, or fact.
これは一つの例に過ぎない。 — This is nothing more than one example.
だけは (dake wa): to do all that one can
Use だけは when you want to express that one has done absolutely everything possible within their capacity.
やるだけはやったので、後悔はない。 — I did everything I could, so I have no regrets.
少なくとも (sukunaku tomo): at least
Use 少なくとも when you want to state a minimum number, amount, or expectation.
少なくとも三日はかかるでしょう。 — It will take at least three days.
せめて (semete): at least
Use せめて when you want to state a minimum desired amount or action.
忙しくても、せめてメールだけは返してください。 — Even if you're busy, at least reply to the email.
まだしも (madashimo): rather; better
Use まだしも when you want to express that while something might be barely tolerable, something else is absolutely beyond the pale.
一度ならまだしも、三度も遅刻した。 — Once would be one thing, but he was late three times.
だけましだ (dake mashi da): it's better than; one should feel grateful for
Use だけましだ when you want to express that even though the situation is bad, it could have been worse — finding relief.
軽い怪我で済んだだけましだ。 — At least it ended with just a minor injury.
More JLPT N2 grammar groups
- Conditionals and preconditions (10)
- Contrast and concession (17)
- Cause, reason, and "no wonder" (16)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Feelings, resolve, and exclamations (15)
- Possibility, risk, and certainty (14)
- Viewpoint and judging from appearance (11)
- Negation and "far from" (12)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (19)
- Timing: as soon as, since, in the end (15)
- Change, manner, and degree (21)
- Relational phrases: based on, regardless of (19)