Chinese word

有限

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǒu xiàn

Meaning

  • adjectivelimited

Example

我们的时间有限，要尽快决定。wǒ men de shí jiān yǒu xiàn yào jǐn kuài jué dìng

Our time is limited, so we need to decide as soon as possible.

Illustration for 有限 (limited)

More examples

这次会议的座位有限请提前预约。zhè cì huì yì de zuò wèi yǒu xiàn qǐng tí qián yù yuē

The seats for this meeting are limited, so please reserve one in advance.

Core concept

Something has a clear limit, so it cannot keep growing or continue forever.

Common phrases

  • 座位有限zuò wèi yǒu xiàn

    limited seating

  • 时间有限shí jiān yǒu xiàn

    limited time

Definition in Chinese

在数量、时间或能力等方面存在一定的上限或界限，表示不能无限增加或延伸。zài shù liàng shí jiān huò néng lì děng fāng miàn cún zài yí dìng de shàng xiàn huò jiè xiàn biǎo shì bù néng wú xiàn zēng jiā huò yán shēn

Word origin

有限 (yǒuxiàn, "limited") joins 有 (yǒu, "to have") and 限 (xiàn, "boundary"), showing an amount as having a definite point beyond which it cannot extend.

Usage tips

  • This adjective can describe time, money, space, or ability without saying who set the boundary, which keeps the statement neutral in ordinary conversation.

Other meanings

  • restrictedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 有限公司yǒu xiàn gōng sīlimited companynoun
  • 有限性yǒu xiàn xìngfinitenessnoun

Word lists with this word