What is the difference between 出来る限り and 出来るだけ?


EDICT gives almost the same translation for these two expressions:

> 出来る限り; できる限り 【​できるかぎり】 (n) as ... as one can
>
> できるだけ 《出来るだけ》 (exp) (uk) as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all
> possible;

Even the example sentences are almost the same:

> 私はできる限りあなたの援助をします。 I'll help you as far as I can.  
>  できるだけ多くの本を読みなさい。 Read as many books as you can

What is the difference between the two expressions?




The meaning is the same. If we compare できるだけ and できる限り, できる限り (literally “to
the limit one can”) sounds stronger than できるだけ (literally “as much as one
can”), so the nuance is slightly different, but not much.

While onteria_’s answer and the answers on Goo to which it links have some
points, I think that they are describing the difference between the two
phrases bigger than it actually is.

I wrote above “ _If we compare_ できるだけ and できる限り, できる限り sounds stronger than
できるだけ.” But when we hear one of the phrases, it is rare to compare it to the
other phrase which was not used.

I do not buy the argument that できるだけ implies the possibility of cutting
corners. Sure, it is true that “ **depending on the situation** , できるだけ
**sometimes** gives the impression of cutting corners,” of course, but that is
saying nothing. The same applies to できる限り, and it does not explain any
difference between the two phrases.




The meaning is the same. If we compare できるだけ and できる限り, できる限り (literally “to
the limit one can”) sounds stronger than できるだけ (literally “as much as one
can”), so the nuance is slightly different, but not much.

While onteria_’s answer and the answers on Goo to which it links have some
points, I think that they are describing the difference between the two
phrases bigger than it actually is.

I wrote above “ _If we compare_ できるだけ and できる限り, できる限り sounds stronger than
できるだけ.” But when we hear one of the phrases, it is rare to compare it to the
other phrase which was not used.

I do not buy the argument that できるだけ implies the possibility of cutting
corners. Sure, it is true that “ **depending on the situation** , できるだけ
**sometimes** gives the impression of cutting corners,” of course, but that is
saying nothing. The same applies to できる限り, and it does not explain any
difference between the two phrases.

