Sign inSign up

motiron kigen wo mamoru.

もちろん　期限きげん　を　守まもる。motiron kigen wo mamoru.
Of course I’ll meet the deadline.
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have hundreds of Japanese lessons and thousands of exercises.
Start learning Japanese

Start learning Japanese now

Questions & Answers about motiron kigen wo mamoru.

Why is the particle を used after 期限? Could I use に?

守る is a transitive verb meaning “to keep/observe/abide by,” so the thing you keep (here, 期限) takes the direct object marker を. Saying 期限に守る is ungrammatical. For comparison:

  • 期限を守る = “meet/keep the deadline”
  • 期限に間に合う = “make it by the deadline”
  • 期限までに終える／提出する = “finish/submit by the deadline”
Who is the subject here? Could it mean “I,” “you,” or “we”?
Japanese often omits the subject when it’s clear from context. もちろん 期限を守る could mean “I will,” “we will,” or even “they will,” depending on the situation. To make it explicit, add a topic/subject: 私は／僕は／私たちは もちろん、期限を守る。
Does 守る here mean “protect”? What exactly is the nuance?

Besides “protect/defend,” 守る also means “observe/comply with/keep” for rules, promises, time limits, etc. Examples:

  • 約束を守る (keep a promise)
  • ルール／規則を守る (follow the rules)
  • 時間を守る (be punctual) With 期限, it means “to meet/keep the deadline.”
Is this sentence polite or casual? How do I make it polite?

It’s in plain (casual/neutral) form. The polite version is:

  • もちろん、期限を守ります。 If replying briefly to someone’s question, you can say もちろんです。 As a full statement, it’s natural to use もちろん、… before the verb clause.
What time/tense does 守る express? Is it present or future?
Non-past plain form can be present, future, or habitual. Here it can mean “I will meet the deadline,” or (context permitting) “I always meet deadlines.” For explicit habitualness: いつも期限を守る。 For polite future-sounding intent: 守ります。
What’s the difference between 期限, 締め切り, 期日, and デッドライン?
  • 期限: time limit/validity period/deadline in a broad sense (also used for expiry). Common with 守る.
  • 締め切り: the closing date/time for submissions/applications; very common in everyday contexts.
  • 期日: due date; more formal/legal tone.
  • デッドライン: English loanword; used in business/creative fields, but Japanese often still says 締め切り or 期限.
Can I say 期限を守れる to mean “I can meet the deadline”?
Yes, the potential form 守れる expresses ability: 期限を守れる. However, to express “make it in time,” 期限に間に合う is very natural. For ability to finish: 期限までに終わらせられる is also common.
Do I need だ／です after もちろん?
Not when もちろん modifies a clause: もちろん、期限を守る。 As a standalone reply meaning “Of course,” you can say either もちろん。 (casual) or もちろんです。 (polite). もちろんだ is okay as a firm, casual standalone statement.
Why are there spaces? How would a native write/punctuate this?

Japanese normally doesn’t use spaces. A natural written form is:

  • もちろん、期限を守る。 Note the comma after もちろん when it functions as a sentence adverb.
Is 期限を守る different from saying I’ll submit/finish by the deadline?

Yes. 期限を守る focuses on compliance itself (“meet the deadline”). If you want to specify the action:

  • 期限までに提出する／終える／仕上げる = submit/finish by the deadline Both are fine; choose based on whether you emphasize compliance or the specific action.
Can I use は instead of を in 期限は守る? What changes?
Yes. 期限を守る states the event neutrally. 期限は守る topicalizes/contrasts: “As for the deadline, I will (keep it),” often implying contrast with other things you may not keep, or highlighting the deadline as the topic.
What other common nouns pair naturally with 守る?
  • 約束, ルール／規則, マナー, 時間, 法律, 秩序, 安全
    Examples: 約束を守る, 時間を守る, 法律を守る.
How can I express stronger determination, like “definitely”?

Use intensifiers:

  • 必ず期限を守ります。 (I will definitely meet the deadline.)
  • 絶対に期限は守る。 (I will absolutely meet the deadline.)
  • 期限はちゃんと守ります。 (I’ll properly meet the deadline.)
  • Very emphatic: 期限は必ず守ってみせる。
How do I say I missed the deadline?
  • 期限に遅れた。 (I was late for the deadline.)
  • 締め切りを過ぎた。 (I went past the deadline.)
  • 期限を守れなかった。 (I couldn’t keep the deadline.)
How do you read these words, and is きげん ever “mood”?
  • もちろん (mochiron)
  • 期限 (kigen: deadline/limit)
  • 守る (mamoru) Note: きげん can also be 機嫌 (mood/temper). Different kanji, different meaning. Context and kanji disambiguate: 期限 (deadline) vs 機嫌 (mood).