limit

Compared meaning: a restriction on a range or amount (noun).

比较义项：限制、界限（表示对可能性或范围的约束）（名词）。

• limitation

  Refers to a restricting rule, fact, or shortcoming that keeps something from being complete or perfect; often used in the plural to list weaknesses.

  指造成限制的规则、事实或缺陷，常用复数形式列举不足之处，使某事无法完美或达到极限。

  Every plan has some limitation, so we tried to prepare for problems.

  每个计划都有其局限，所以我们尽量为可能出现的问题做好准备。

• limit 本词

  Refers to the maximum (or minimum) amount, degree, or extent allowed, often a specific number; common in fixed phrases like speed limit, age limit.

  指允许达到的最大值（或最小值）、程度或范围，通常是具体数字，常见于固定搭配，如限速、年龄限制等。

  There is a speed limit of thirty miles per hour here.

  这里的限速是每小时三十英里。

Both words relate to limits, and Chinese learners often confuse them. Limit means a specific maximum or minimum value, often a number, as in speed limit. Limitation means a restricting rule, fact, or weakness, often used in the plural to list shortcomings.

这两个词都与“限制”有关，容易被中国学习者混淆：limit 强调具体的最大值或界限，常与数字搭配；limitation 强调造成局限的规则、事实或缺陷，常用复数列举不足之处。此处不比较 limit 作动词“限制”的用法。

Compared meaning: to limit or control something (verb).

比较义项：限制（动词）。

• restrict

  Restrict is fairly formal and often pairs with "from + verb-ing" to describe an official rule that stops people doing or having something, stronger and more institutional-sounding than limit.

  restrict语气比较正式，常与「from + 动词-ing」搭配，表示用官方规定阻止人们做某事或拥有某物，语气比limit更强、更具机构色彩。

  The new policy restricts staff from using personal phones during work hours.

  这项新政策限制员工在工作时间使用私人手机。

• limit 本词

  Limit is the plain, everyday word for keeping an amount, number or degree from going above a certain point; it is neutral in tone and fits almost any measurable thing.

  limit是最常用、最普通的词，表示把数量、数目或程度控制在某个上限之内，语气中性，几乎可用于任何可衡量的事物。

  New parents should limit their baby's screen time to zero.

  新手父母应该把孩子看屏幕的时间限制为零。

• confine

  Confine stresses being shut within a narrow physical space or a very narrow scope of activity, often against one's will, so it carries a stronger, more restrictive feel than the other two.

  confine强调把某人或某物局限在狭小的物理空间或很窄的活动范围内，往往带有非自愿的意味，因此语气比另外两个词更强、更具限制性。

  The injury confined him to a wheelchair for six months.

  这次受伤让他被迫困于轮椅整整六个月。

All three mean to limit. Restrict is fairly formal, often used with 'from doing,' describing an official rule. Limit is the plain, everyday word for keeping an amount below a certain point. Confine is stronger, stressing being shut within a narrow space or activity.

这三个词在「限制」这一义项上意思相近，但restrict语气正式，常用于官方规定；limit最常用、语气中性，泛指把数量或程度控制在某个上限；confine语气更强，强调把人或物局限在狭小的空间或活动范围内。这里不比较confine的「禁闭」和「接壤」义。