にもほどがある

there is a limit to what is acceptable, to go too far, there is a limit to, you are too …, how …!, how … one can be!

AI-generated

Structure

[noun] + にもほどがある
[na-adj] + にもほどがある
[verb (plain)] + にもほどがある
[i-adj] + にもほどがある

Description

The expression にもほどがある literally means "there is a limit even to ~" and is used to express strong criticism or exasperation that something has gone too far or is beyond acceptable bounds. It conveys the speaker's feeling that a certain behavior, quality, or situation is excessive to the point of being unreasonable.

Basic Usage

Attach にもほどがある to nouns (often abstract qualities or behaviors) to express that something is unacceptably extreme.

。

There's a limit to how rude you can be!

。

There's a limit to joking around! (You've gone too far.)

With Verbs and Adjectives

When used with verbs or adjectives, the dictionary form or い-adjective plain form precedes にもほどがある. With な-adjectives, the stem is used directly (without な).

。

There's a limit to being late! (This is too much.)

。

There's a limit to how dense someone can be!

Nuance

This grammar pattern always carries a negative, critical, or exasperated tone. The speaker is expressing that the degree of something – whether rudeness, laziness, carelessness, or even kindness – has crossed an acceptable line. It is used when scolding someone or venting frustration.

。。

There's a limit to being kind. You're just being taken advantage of.

Even when the quality itself is positive (like kindness), にもほどがある frames it as excessive and problematic.

Common Collocations

This pattern frequently appears with words like しつれい失礼 (rude), むせきにん無責任 (irresponsible), わがまま (selfish), じょうだん冗談 (joke), ばか馬鹿 (stupid/foolish), and いいかげんいい加減 (irresponsible/half-hearted).

。

There's a limit to being irresponsible!

Examples

。。

There's a limit to being rude. Apologize!

。。

There's a limit to joking. That's not funny at all.

。に2。

There's a limit to being late. I've been waiting for two hours!

でしょう。。

There's a limit to being selfish. Think about the people around you a little.

。きごう？

There's a limit to being stupid. Why did you do something like that?

。。

There's a limit to being irresponsible. Abandoning your work halfway through!

。

There's a limit to making fun of people!

。。

There's a limit to how dense you can be. She's been telling you she likes you that much.

。きごう？

There's a limit to how expensive something can be. 3000 yen for a cake this small?

。きごう？

There's a limit to being irresponsible. How many times are you going to break your promises?

。。

There's a limit to being kind. You need to take care of yourself too.

。。

There's a limit to forgetting things. You even forgot your own birthday!

References

にもほどがあるBunpro

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