das Limit
limit
A fixed boundary that must not be exceeded, for example a speed limit or a maximum amount.
EXAMPLE
Das Tempolimit auf dieser Landstraße liegt bei 80 km/h.
The speed limit on this country road is 80 km/h.
das Limit
limit
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Meanings
das Limit
limit
The maximum available amount or the outer boundary of endurance or performance capacity.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe diesen Monat das Limit meiner Kreditkarte erreicht.
I’ve reached the limit on my credit card this month.
Usage tips
Word origin
'Limit' is a loanword from English that has been fully integrated into the German language. Note the neuter article 'das Limit'.
EXAMPLE
Gibt es für dieses Projekt ein finanzielles Limit?
Is there a financial limit for this project?
Fixed expressions
There are several fixed expressions with 'Limit'. When someone reaches the limit of their performance, they are 'am Limit' (at their limit) or 'geht an sein Limit' (pushes themselves to their limit). Something that exceeds a boundary 'geht über das Limit hinaus' (goes beyond the limit).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Marathon war ich körperlich total am Limit.
After the marathon, I was physically completely at my limit.
Typical compounds
'Limit' is often used as the base word in compounds to define a specific type of boundary. Common examples are 'das Tempolimit' (the speed limit), 'das Zeitlimit' (the time limit), or 'das Alterslimit' (the age limit).
EXAMPLE
Bitte halten Sie sich an das Zeitlimit von 20 Minuten für Ihren Vortrag.
Please keep to the 20-minute time limit for your presentation.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Grenze der Belastbarkeit' (limit of endurance), 'Limit' is often used personally. Typical expressions are 'sein persönliches Limit erreichen' (to reach one’s personal limit) or 'das Limit der Kreditkarte ausschöpfen' (to use up the credit card limit).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mein monatliches Datenlimit schon wieder erreicht.
I’ve already reached my monthly data limit again.
Compare with
Limit vs Grenze
border / limit
“Grenze” and “Limit” can both refer to the highest possible value. A “Limit” is usually a set or measurable upper limit, for example for an amount or a load. “Grenze” is more general and can also refer to the natural endpoint of a possibility or of someone’s or something’s capacity.
Limit
Für die Ladung des Fahrzeugs gilt ein festgelegtes Limit von 800 Kilogramm.
The vehicle’s load is subject to a fixed limit of 800 kilograms.
Grenze
Mit dieser schweren Ladung erreicht das Fahrzeug die Grenze seiner Belastbarkeit.
With this heavy load, the vehicle reaches the limit of its load-bearing capacity.
In real life
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