際限(さいげん)

さいげん
noun
limit; end; bound
quantity
1. limit; end; bound
A boundary or endpoint. Almost always used in the negative pattern 際限がない or 際限なく to mean "without limit" or "endlessly."
欲望(よくぼう)には際限(さいげん)がない。
Desire has no limit.
際限(さいげん)なく食(た)べ続(つづ)けてしまう。
I end up eating endlessly.
この議論(ぎろん)は際限(さいげん)がないから、そろそろ結論(けつろん)を出(だ)しましょう。
This debate has no end, so let's reach a conclusion soon.

Compound of 際(さい) (edge/boundary) + 限(げん) (limit). Overwhelmingly used in the negative.

Common patterns

  • 際限(さいげん)がない (there is no limit; limitless)
  • 際限(さいげん)なく (without limit; endlessly)
  • 際限(さいげん)のない (limitless; unbounded)

Usage

Rarely if ever used in the affirmative. You would not normally say 際限(さいげん)がある. Instead, this word's function is almost entirely as part of the negative pattern expressing limitlessness. Similar to how the English word "cessation" mainly appears in the phrase "without cessation."

general
Added 2026.3.2 15:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
14500/14535_saigen