das  Limit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlɪmɪt/

🎯 What does "das Limit" mean?

Das Limit (noun, neuter) refers to a limit, a boundary, or a maximum value that should not or cannot be exceeded. It's a loanword from English (originally from Latin limes) that is well-established in German.

• It can refer to quantitative measures (e.g., Geschwindigkeitslimit - speed limit, Kreditlimit - credit limit).
• It can also mean a qualitative limit or a limit of endurance (e.g., an sein persönliches Limit gehen - to reach one's personal limit).

🚨 Attention: Although borrowed from English, the article in German is das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Limit" in Detail

"Das Limit" is a noun of neuter gender. It is declined as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Das Tempolimit auf dieser Autobahn beträgt 120 km/h.
   (The speed limit on this highway is 120 km/h.)
2. Ich habe mein Kreditkartenlimit diesen Monat erreicht.
   (I have reached my credit card limit this month.)
3. Der Athlet ging bei diesem Wettkampf an sein körperliches Limit.
   (The athlete pushed himself to his physical limit in this competition.)
4. Wir müssen klare Limits für das Projektbudget setzen.
   (We need to set clear limits for the project budget.)

🗣️ How to use "das Limit"?

"Das Limit" is frequently used in contexts where a restriction or maximum value is important.

• Finance: Kreditlimit (credit limit), Überziehungslimit (overdraft limit), Budgetlimit (budget limit)
• Traffic: Tempolimit, Geschwindigkeitslimit (speed limit)
• Technology/Mathematics: Grenzwert (limit value), Leistungslimit (performance limit)
• Personal boundaries: an sein Limit kommen/stoßen/gehen (to reach one's limit), das Limit überschreiten (to exceed the limit)
• Time: Zeitlimit (time limit)

Typical Phrases:

• ein Limit setzen/festlegen: to set/define a limit.
• ans Limit gehen/kommen: to reach one's limit (of endurance, capability).
• über das Limit hinausgehen: to go beyond the limit.

Compared to "die Grenze" (the border, boundary), "das Limit" often emphasizes a numerical or quantitative maximum, whereas "Grenze" can also refer to spatial or more abstract dividing lines.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Limit"

Article Mnemonic: Think of international words ending in -t used in German, like das Budget or das Defizit. Many such technical or quantitative terms are neuter (das). So, it's das Limit.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have a data plan with a limit. If you go over it, das ist bad! The 'das' reminds you of the article.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar words: Be careful not to confuse it with less common forms or similarly sounding words. Stick to "das Limit" (singular) and "die Limits" (plural).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen neuen Mitarbeiter: "Kennen Sie Ihre Limits?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Nein, aber ich kann sie sicher googeln!"

Translation:
The boss asks his new employee: "Do you know your limits?"
The employee replies: "No, but I can surely google them!"

📜 Poem about the Limit

Die Zahl steigt hoch, fast ungestillt,
Doch irgendwo ist es gestellt,
Das Limit, klar und oft verhasst,
Ein Punkt, an dem die Reise passt.
Mal Zeit, mal Geld, mal Kraft, mal Mut,
Es zeigt uns, was uns guttut.

Translation:
The number rises high, almost unsated,
But somewhere it is placed,
The limit, clear and often hated,
A point where the journey is paced.
Sometimes time, sometimes money, strength, or grit,
It shows us what truly fits.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Zahl, die man nicht überschreiten darf,
Ob auf der Straße oder beim Kontostand, ich bin scharf.
Man setzt mich fest, mal hoch, mal tief,
Damit nichts aus dem Ruder lief.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: das Limit)

Translation:
I am a number you must not exceed,
Whether on the road or with account balance, I take heed.
I am set, sometimes high, sometimes low,
So that nothing out of control will go.

What am I?
(Answer: das Limit)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Limit" comes from the Latin word limes (genitive: limitis), which originally meant "boundary path," "border," or "boundary wall."

Word Compounds (Komposita): "Limit" is often part of compound nouns in German:

• Tempolimit (speed limit)
• Zeitlimit (time limit)
• Kreditlimit (credit limit)
• Emissionslimit (emission limit)
• Alterslimit (age limit)