Limited time to catch with 制限時間

支部長(しぶちょう):

「魔法(まほう)は使(つか)わずに制限時間(せいげんじかん)は１時間(じかん)よ」

“Your time limit is one hour during which you cannot use magic.”

Key Points

1. 制限時間(せいげんじかん) = a fixed time limit for the task

   • 制限時間(せいげんじかん) means the allowed amount of time for doing something, so here it is the official time limit for the test

   • It is more specific than just saying one hour; it means one hour is the maximum time she is being given

2. 使(つか)わずに = without using

   • 魔法(まほう)は使(つか)わずに means “without using magic” and gives the condition under which the task must be done

   • 〜ずに is a written-to-neutral style equivalent of 〜ないで, so the sense is “catch it without using magic”

3. Sentence-ending よ adds firm instruction

   • The final よ gives the statement an assertive, informing tone, which fits someone laying out test conditions

   • It does not soften the line; it makes the rule sound clearly delivered to the listener