Definition
有限 (yǒu xiàn) means 'limited, finite' and is used for resources, time, ability, etc. that have a clear boundary. It differs from 贫乏 (pín fá), which emphasizes a lack or deficiency (e.g., impoverished resources), while 有限 simply means there is a limit. Its opposite is 无限 (wú xiàn, 'unlimited').
adjective
limitedfinite
Easily confused
- 优先yōu xiānsound-aliketo have priority, to take precedence
- 悠闲yōu xiánsound-alikeleisurely; carefree; relaxed
Examples
- 有限，。Wǒ de nénglì hěn yǒu xiàn, hái xūyào duō xuéxí.My ability is limited; I still need to study more.
- 有限，。Zhè jiā diàn de xuǎnzé hěn yǒu xiàn, zhǐ yǒu jǐ zhǒng shāngpǐn.This shop's selection is limited; there are only a few kinds of goods.
- 有限，。Wǒmen de shíjiān fēicháng yǒu xiàn, bìxū zhuājǐn.Our time is very limited; we must hurry up.
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