過ぎる
This verb means something has gone beyond a limit or a certain point.
Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn 過ぎる (sugiru). This word is like saying 'too much' or 'too long'. Imagine you have a toy, and you play with it for a very, very long time. That time went 過ぎる! Or maybe you eat a yummy cake, but you eat too much. That is also 過ぎる. It means something went past the 'good' point. You can use it for time, like 'The day went 過ぎる' (the day became too long), or for actions, like 'I slept 過ぎる' (I slept too much). It helps you say when something is just a little bit too much!
Let's talk about 過ぎる (sugiru). This verb is useful when you want to say something has gone beyond a limit. Think about a bus that passes your stop – it went 過ぎる! Or maybe you stayed at the park longer than planned; the time went 過ぎる. We often use it to talk about actions done 'too much'. For example, 食べ過ぎる (tabesugiru) means 'to eat too much'. If a room is very hot, you can say 暑過ぎる (atsusugiru), meaning 'too hot'. It's a great way to express excess or passing a point.
The verb 過ぎる (sugiru) is key for expressing the idea of exceeding a limit or passing a point. You'll frequently encounter it in constructions like V-て + 過ぎる, where V is the te-form of another verb, meaning 'to do V excessively'. For example, 働き過ぎる (hatarakisugiru) means 'to work too much', a common concern in many cultures. You can also attach it to the stem of i-adjectives to indicate 'too [adjective]'. So, if a price is too high, you'd say 高過ぎる (takasugiru).
Beyond simple excess, 過ぎる can also denote passing a physical location or a point in time. For instance, 'The train passed the station' could be 電車は駅を過ぎた (densha wa eki o sugita). Understanding these patterns allows you to articulate when things are 'too much', 'too long', or have simply 'gone by'.
過ぎる (sugiru) is a highly versatile verb that moves beyond simple 'passing' to encompass a wide range of nuances related to excess and exceeding limits. Its grammatical flexibility is noteworthy. The V-て + 過ぎる construction is fundamental for describing actions performed to an excessive degree, such as 喋り過ぎる (shaberisugiru - to talk too much) or 心配し過ぎる (shinpai shisugiru - to worry too much). This pattern is common in both spoken and written Japanese.
Furthermore, its use with adjective stems (e.g., 甘過ぎる - amasugiru, too sweet) provides a concise way to express subjective judgments about intensity. Context is crucial; 過ぎる can describe physical movement past a point, temporal duration beyond expectation, or even a level of intensity that is perceived as inappropriate or overwhelming. Recognizing these different applications will significantly enhance your comprehension and fluency.
Mastering 過ぎる (sugiru) involves appreciating its subtle implications beyond literal 'passing' or 'excess'. In advanced usage, it can describe a state or quality that surpasses a desirable or acceptable threshold, often carrying a negative connotation. For example, while 綺麗 (kirei - beautiful) is positive, 綺麗過ぎる (kirei sugiru) can imply an almost artificial or overwhelming beauty that might feel unsettling or out of place.
The verb also appears in more idiomatic or figurative expressions, such as 度を過ぎる (do o sugiru - to go too far), which denotes behavior exceeding all bounds of reason or decency. Understanding the register is also important; while casual complaints about things being 'too much' are common, its use in formal contexts might imply a more critical assessment of a situation's deviation from norms or standards. Its ability to convey nuanced degrees of excess makes it indispensable for sophisticated expression.
At the C2 level, 過ぎる (sugiru) reveals its full depth, often intertwined with cultural perceptions of moderation and appropriateness. Its core meaning of 'exceeding' can be applied to abstract concepts, social norms, and even ethical boundaries. For instance, a statement might be 言い過ぎる (iisugiru - to say too much), implying not just volume but potentially tactlessness or indiscretion.
The historical and literary usage of 過ぎる can also be explored. Classical texts might employ it to describe the passage of seasons, the fall of dynasties, or the erosion of time in ways that carry profound philosophical weight. Examining its etymological connection to 'transgression' (過) highlights its potential for expressing moral or social overstepping. Appreciating 過ぎる in its entirety requires understanding its grammatical functions, idiomatic extensions, and its role in reflecting cultural values regarding balance and excess.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- 過ぎる (sugiru) means to pass, exceed, or be too much/too long.
- Commonly used with V-て + 過ぎる (e.g., 食べ過ぎる - eat too much).
- Also used with adjective stems (e.g., 高すぎる - too expensive).
- Can describe physical movement (passing a point) or abstract excess.
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb 過ぎる (sugiru). Think of it as your go-to word when something goes a little too far, passes a certain point, or lasts longer than expected. It's like a marker that says, 'We've reached or gone beyond this limit!'
We often use 過ぎる to talk about time passing, like when a meeting goes on for too long, or when a season has definitely moved past its peak. It can also describe physical movement, such as walking past a landmark. But it's not just about movement; it's also about intensity. If something is 'too much' – maybe too spicy, too loud, or too beautiful – 過ぎる can capture that feeling of excess.
Understanding 過ぎる will really help you grasp nuances in Japanese. It’s all about context! Whether you’re talking about how many hours you slept, how hot the weather is, or how long a movie felt, this verb adds a layer of precision. So, let's get ready to explore its many faces!
The verb 過ぎる (sugiru) has deep roots in the Japanese language, tracing back to classical Japanese. Its core meaning revolves around the concept of 'passing' or 'going beyond'. The kanji 過 itself carries the meaning of 'transgression', 'error', 'passing', or 'exceeding'. This etymology perfectly aligns with the verb's function of indicating that something has gone beyond a normal or expected limit.
In older forms of Japanese, similar verbs existed that conveyed this sense of passing or exceeding. Over time, 過ぎる solidified its grammatical role and semantic range. Its usage has remained remarkably consistent, reflecting fundamental human experiences like the passage of time, the measurement of distance, and the perception of intensity or quantity.
Interestingly, the concept of 'passing' or 'going beyond' is universal, and many languages have words to express this. However, 過ぎる is particularly versatile in Japanese, often combined with other words to create specific meanings. For example, combining it with adjectives or nouns allows for nuanced expressions of excess, making it a cornerstone verb for describing states and actions that surpass a threshold.
You'll find 過ぎる (sugiru) used in a wide variety of situations, from everyday conversations to more formal writing. Its core function is to indicate exceeding a limit, whether it's time, space, quantity, or intensity. A very common pattern is using it with the te-form of another verb to mean 'doing something too much' or 'doing something excessively'. For example, 食べ過ぎる (tabesugiru) means 'to eat too much', and 働き過ぎる (hatarakisugiru) means 'to work too much'.
When used with nouns, especially those indicating time or place, it means 'to pass' or 'to go beyond'. For instance, 時間が過ぎる (jikan ga sugiru) means 'time passes', and 道を過ぎる (michi o sugiru) could mean 'to go past the road'. It's also frequently used with adjectives in their '-i' form, often after dropping the final 'i' and adding '過ぎる'. For example, 熱い (atsui - hot) becomes 熱過ぎる (atsusugiru - too hot), and 高い (takai - expensive) becomes 高過ぎる (takasugiru - too expensive).
The register of 過ぎる can vary. While the verb itself is neutral, its usage in specific contexts can lean formal or informal. For instance, complaining about something being 'too much' in a casual chat is informal, whereas a formal report might state that a project deadline was '過ぎた' (sugita - passed) or exceeded. Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall situation to gauge the appropriate level of formality.
While 過ぎる (sugiru) is a core verb, it often appears in set phrases and idioms that add color to the language. These expressions leverage its meaning of 'exceeding' or 'passing' in creative ways.
- 時が経ち過ぎる (Toki ga tachisugiru): This literally means 'time passes too much', but it's often used to express a feeling that time has flown by incredibly quickly, especially when looking back at a long period. Example: 気づけばもう卒業から10年、時が経ち過ぎるものですね。(Kizukeba mō sotsugyō kara jūnen, toki ga tachisugiru mono desu ne. - Before I knew it, it's been 10 years since graduation; time really flies by.)
- 本心を過ぎる (Honshō o sugiru): This implies speaking or acting beyond one's true feelings or intentions, often due to strong emotion or being overly candid. It suggests saying more than one originally meant to. Example: 彼は興奮して、つい本心を過ぎることを言ってしまった。(Kare wa kōfun shite, tsui honshō o sugiru koto o itte shimatta. - He got excited and ended up saying more than he truly intended.)
- 度を過ぎる (Do o sugiru): This is a very common expression meaning 'to go too far', 'to be excessive', or 'to be beyond moderation'. It's used when someone's behavior or a situation is unacceptable due to its extreme nature. Example: 彼の冗談はいつも度を過ぎている。(Kare no jōdan wa itsumo do o sugite iru. - His jokes are always over the top.)
- 年が過ぎる (Toshi ga sugiru): While literally meaning 'years pass', this can sometimes carry a nuance of getting older, perhaps implying that one is past their prime or that time is slipping away quickly. Example: もう若くない、年が過ぎるのが早い。(Mō wakakunai, toshi ga sugiru no ga hayai. - I'm not young anymore; the years pass so quickly.)
- 身に過ぎる (Mi ni sugiru): This means something is beyond one's capabilities, status, or worth. It's often used when receiving something undeservedly grand or when facing a challenge too great. Example: このような賞をいただくのは、身に過ぎることかと存じます。(Kono yō na shō o itadaku no wa, mi ni sugiru koto ka to zonjimasu. - I feel receiving such an award is beyond my deserving.)
Let's break down the grammar and pronunciation of 過ぎる (sugiru). As a verb, it conjugates like other Group 2 (ichidan) verbs. This means its stem 'sugi-' remains constant, and endings change. For example, the past tense is 過ぎた (sugita), the negative is 過ぎない (suginai), and the te-form is 過ぎて (sugite).
A crucial grammatical pattern involves combining 過ぎる with the te-form of other verbs. This structure, V-て + 過ぎる, signifies 'doing V too much'. For instance, 飲み過ぎる (nomisugiru - to drink too much) and 泣き過ぎる (nakisugiru - to cry too much). Another common pattern is attaching 過ぎる to the stem of i-adjectives (dropping the final 'i') to mean 'too [adjective]'. So, if something is 重い (omoi - heavy), it becomes 重過ぎる (omosugiru - too heavy).
Pronunciation: 過ぎる is pronounced /sɯ̹ɡʲiɾɯ̹/. In Japanese phonetics, the 'su' sound is often unvoiced or devoiced, especially between voiceless consonants or at the end of words, but here it's generally pronounced clearly. The 'gi' sound is a voiced velar stop. The final 'ru' is a flap, similar to the 'tt' in the American English pronunciation of 'butter'.
IPA (British): /sʊˈɡɪ.ɾʊ/
IPA (American): /sʊˈɡi.ɾu/
Words that rhyme or have similar sounds often end in '-iru' or '-ugiru'. Examples include 祈る (inoru - to pray), 知る (shiru - to know), and 逃げる (nigeru - to escape), though the latter is a different verb group. Stress in Japanese is generally flat, but slight pitch variations can occur. For 過ぎる, the emphasis tends to be relatively even across the syllables.
Fun Fact
The kanji '過' itself is composed of '咼' (a phonetic component) and '辶' (the 'walk' radical), literally suggesting 'walking past' or 'going beyond'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'soo-GEE-roo', with a light tap on the 'r'.
Similar to British, 'soo-GHEE-roo', the 'r' is a quick flap.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'u' sound too strongly after 's'. It should be light.
- Adding an English 'r' sound instead of the Japanese flap 'r'.
- Incorrectly stressing syllables; Japanese pronunciation is relatively flat.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Generally easy to read due to common patterns, but nuances can be tricky.
Requires careful attention to conjugation and context.
Commonly used, but mastering the nuances takes practice.
Recognizable once you know the patterns.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation (Te-form)
V-て + 過ぎる
Adjective Stems
Adjective stem + 過ぎる
Particles (が, は, を)
Subject + が + 過ぎる / Object + を + 過ぎる
Examples by Level
水は熱すぎる。
Water is hot too much.
Adjective stem + すぎる
宿題をしすぎた。
Homework did too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる
時間が過ぎる。
Time passes.
Subject + が + すぎる
このパンは古すぎる。
This bread is old too much.
Adjective stem + すぎる
歩きすぎた。
Walked too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる
映画は長すぎる。
Movie is long too much.
Adjective stem + すぎる
彼は話しすぎる。
He talks too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる
バスはもう過ぎた。
Bus already passed.
Subject + は + Object + を + 過ぎた
このコーヒーは甘すぎるよ。
This coffee is sweet too much.
Adjective stem + すぎる
昨夜、飲みすぎました。
Last night, drank too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる
駅を過ぎて、右に曲がってください。
Pass the station, turn right please.
Object + を + 過ぎる
この服は私には大きすぎる。
This clothing is for me big too much.
Adjective stem + すぎる
会議が予定時間を過ぎた。
Meeting passed scheduled time.
Subject + が + Object + を + 過ぎた
彼は働きすぎて疲れている。
He works too much and is tired.
Verb te-form + すぎる
夏は暑すぎるから、冬が好きです。
Summer is hot too much, so winter I like.
Adjective stem + すぎる
その話はもう過ぎたことだ。
That story already passed thing is.
Past event context
このレストランは値段が高すぎる。
This restaurant's price is expensive too much.
Adjective stem + すぎる
心配しすぎると、体に悪いですよ。
If you worry too much, to body bad is.
Verb te-form + すぎる + と (conditional)
バスはもう行ってしまった。乗り過ごしたようだ。
Bus already went. Missed it seems.
乗り過ごす (norisugosu - to miss a stop/transport) - related to 過ぎる
彼の態度は度を過ぎている。
His attitude is degree past.
度を過ぎる (do o sugiru - to go too far)
あっという間に時間が過ぎていく。
In blink of an eye time passes.
あっという間に (atto iu ma ni - in the blink of an eye)
この映画は感動的すぎて泣いてしまった。
This movie was moving too much and I cried.
Verb te-form + すぎる
それは君の手に余る仕事だろう。
That is your hands beyond work probably.
手に余る (te ni amaru - beyond one's ability) - related concept
彼は自分の能力を過信しすぎている。
He his own ability overestimates too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる
この騒音は我慢しすぎるほどではない。
This noise is endure too much degree not.
Verb te-form + すぎる + ほどではない (not to the extent of)
彼の発言は、状況を考慮すると不適切に過ぎた。
His statement, situation considering, inappropriately passed.
Adjective + に過ぎない (ni suginai - merely, nothing more than) - different nuance, but related
あまりにも美しすぎて、現実のものとは思えなかった。
Too much beautiful, real thing not think it was.
Adjective stem + すぎる
過度な期待は、しばしば失望に過ぎない。
Excessive expectations often disappointment merely are.
～に過ぎない (ni suginai - nothing more than)
彼は自分の才能を鼻にかけすぎている。
He his own talent nose puts on too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる (idiomatic: to be conceited)
その知らせを聞いて、彼女は泣き過ぎてしまった。
That news hearing, she cried too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる
この問題は複雑に過ぎて、素人には理解できないだろう。
This problem is complicated too much, layman cannot understand probably.
Adjective stem + すぎる
彼は自分の経験を棚に上げて、若者を批判しすぎだ。
He his own experience shelf putting up, young people criticizes too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる (idiomatic: hypocritical criticism)
彼の芸術は、既存の枠組みをやや過ぎるきらいがある。
His art, existing framework slightly passes tendency has.
～きらいがある (kirai ga aru - has a tendency to); ～を過ぎる
その提案は、現状維持を良しとする者にとっては、一歩進み過ぎているように映るだろう。
That proposal, status quo maintain good those for, one step advance too much seems reflect probably.
Verb te-form + すぎる
彼女の弁舌は流麗を過ぎ、時に聴衆を圧倒する。
Her eloquence is fluency passed, sometimes audience overwhelms.
～を過ぎる (used with abstract nouns)
この種の過激な思想は、社会の許容範囲をとうに過ぎている。
This kind extreme thought, society's tolerance range long ago passed.
とうに過ぎる (tō ni sugiru - long since passed)
彼はあまりにも思慮深く、それが逆に、決断を遅らせる要因となり過ぎている。
He too much thoughtfully, that conversely, decision-making delay factor become too much is.
Verb te-form + すぎる
その文学作品は、単なる悲劇を過ぎ、存在論的な苦悩を描いている。
That literary work, mere tragedy passed, existential anguish depicts.
～を過ぎる (used in literary analysis)
彼の振る舞いは、単なる無礼を過ぎ、侮辱の域に達していた。
His behavior, mere rudeness passed, insult's realm reached.
～を過ぎる (used to describe behavior)
現代社会における情報過多は、個人の処理能力を容易に過ぎる。
Modern society in information overload, individual processing capacity easily passes.
～を過ぎる
その時代の芸術運動は、当時の規範を大胆にも過ぎるものであった。
That era's art movement, that time's norms boldly also passed thing was.
～を過ぎる (historical/artistic context)
彼の言葉は、単なる批判を超え、一種の預言者的洞察を過ぎるものがあった。
His words, mere criticism beyond, a kind prophetic insight passed thing had.
～を過ぎる (figurative, profound insight)
あまりに完璧を期しすぎると、かえって創造性の源泉を枯渇させかねない。
Too much perfection aim too much, conversely creativity's source dry up may cause.
Verb te-form + すぎる (potential negative outcome)
この現象は、単なる偶然の域を過ぎ、何らかの必然性を帯びているように思われる。
This phenomenon, mere coincidence's realm passed, some kind of necessity carries seems.
～を過ぎる (philosophical/analytical context)
その歴史的変遷は、単なる時代の流れを過ぎ、文明の興亡に関わる深遠なテーマを内包していた。
That historical transition, mere era's flow passed, civilization's rise and fall related profound theme contains.
～を過ぎる (historical/philosophical analysis)
彼の弁論は、聴衆の感情を揺さぶるに過ぎず、真の説得力には欠けていた。
His oratory, audience's emotions stir merely was, true persuasiveness lacked.
～に過ぎない (ni suginai - merely, nothing more than)
この悲劇は、個人の運命を過ぎ、社会全体の病理を象徴している。
This tragedy, individual fate passed, society entire's pathology symbolizes.
～を過ぎる (symbolic interpretation)
あまりにも多くの選択肢は、かえって決断能力を麻痺させ、自由意志の行使を阻害し過ぎる。
Too many choices, conversely decision-making ability paralyzes, free will's exercise hinders too much.
Verb te-form + すぎる
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"度を過ぎる (do o sugiru)"
To go too far; to be excessive or beyond moderation.
彼の無礼な態度は度を過ぎていた。(Kare no burei na taido wa do o sugite ita.)
neutral"身に過ぎる (mi ni sugiru)"
To be beyond one's capabilities, status, or worth; undeserved.
このような栄誉は、私には身に過ぎることです。(Kono yō na eiyo wa, watashi ni wa mi ni sugiru koto desu.)
formal"時が経ち過ぎる (toki ga tachisugiru)"
Time passes too quickly; time flies.
卒業してからもう10年、時が経ち過ぎるものですね。(Sotsugyō shite kara mō jūnen, toki ga tachisugiru mono desu ne.)
neutral"本心を過ぎる (honshō o sugiru)"
To say or do more than one's true feelings or intentions, often due to emotion.
興奮して、つい本心を過ぎることを言ってしまった。(Kōfun shite, tsui honshō o sugiru koto o itte shimatta.)
neutral"目に過ぎる (me ni sugiru)"
To be too much for the eyes to bear; overwhelmingly beautiful or shocking.
その光景は目に過ぎるほど美しかった。(Sono kōkei wa me ni sugiru hodo utsukushikatta.)
literary"手に余る (te ni amaru)"
To be beyond one's ability or capacity to handle. (Related concept, implies something is too much to handle)
この仕事は私には手に余る。(Kono shigoto wa watashi ni wa te ni amaru.)
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean 'to exceed' or 'go beyond'.
過ぎる often implies a state of being 'too much' or simply passing by. 超える is more about surpassing a specific numerical limit, boundary, or goal. You 'exceed' a budget (予算を超える yosan o koeru) but might say a deadline 'passed' (締め切りを過ぎた shimekiri o sugita).
目標を超える (mokuhyō o koeru) - to exceed the goal. 時間を過ぎる (jikan o sugiru) - time passes.
Similar meaning to 超える and can overlap with 過ぎる in some contexts.
越す often implies physically crossing something (like a border) or moving house. It can also mean to exceed, similar to 超える, but 過ぎる is more common for general excess or passing.
国境を越す (kokkyō o kosu) - to cross the border. 年を越す (toshi o kosu) - to see the New Year in.
It's an antonym related to quantity/sufficiency.
足りない means 'not enough' or 'lacking', the direct opposite of the 'too much' implication of 過ぎる.
お金が足りない (okane ga tarinai) - not enough money. お金が使いすぎる (okane ga tsukaisugiru) - to spend too much money.
Sounds very similar to 過ぎる (sugiru).
過ごす is a verb meaning 'to spend time' or 'to live'. 過ぎる means 'to pass', 'to exceed', or 'too much'.
週末を楽しく過ごした (Shūmatsu o tanoshiku sugo-shita) - I spent the weekend enjoyably. 時間が過ぎた (Jikan ga sugi-ta) - Time passed.
Sentence Patterns
Verb (te-form) + 過ぎる
食べ過ぎる (tabesugiru) - To eat too much
Adjective stem + 過ぎる
暑すぎる (atsusugiru) - Too hot
Noun + が/は + 過ぎる
時間が過ぎる (jikan ga sugiru) - Time passes
Noun + を + 過ぎる
駅を過ぎる (eki o sugiru) - To pass the station
Idiom: 度 + を + 過ぎる
度を過ぎる (do o sugiru) - To go too far
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Verwandt
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
The te-form connects verbs to indicate manner or extent, which is necessary for expressing 'doing something too much'.
While similar, 超える/越す often imply surpassing a defined threshold, whereas 過ぎる can describe a state of being 'too much' or simply passing by.
This is a standard conjugation pattern when attaching certain suffixes to i-adjectives.
過ぎる is the dictionary/present form. Like any verb, it needs to be conjugated for tense.
While 過ぎる means 'too much', using it for very minor excesses can sound unnatural or overly critical.
Tips
The 'Sugary' Mnemonic
Remember 過ぎる sounds like 'sugary'. Imagine eating a cake that's 'sugary' and just WAY too sweet – that's 過ぎる!
Te-Form is Your Friend
Mastering the V-て + 過ぎる pattern is crucial. Practice making sentences like 'I slept too much' (寝坊しすぎた - nebosugita) or 'I talked too much' (話しすぎた - hanashisugita).
The Value of Moderation
Japanese culture often values moderation. Think about how 過ぎる highlights the negative consequences of excess, which is a common cultural theme.
Adjective Stem Rule
Don't forget: for i-adjectives, drop the final 'i' before adding 過ぎる (e.g., 'cold' -> 寒い samui -> 寒すぎる samusugiru).
Light 'U' Sound
Pay attention to the 'u' sound in 'sugi-ru'. It's often very light, almost disappearing, especially in faster speech.
Avoid Dictionary Form + 過ぎる
Remember it's always the te-form of the verb before 過ぎる, not the dictionary form. No 'taberu sugiru', only 'tabesugiru'!
Kanji Clue
The kanji '過' (ka/sugi-ru) has a 'walk' radical (辶), hinting at the idea of 'going past' or 'moving beyond'.
Contextual Learning
Instead of just memorizing definitions, find example sentences where 過ぎる is used. Notice the context: is it about time, food, behavior, or price?
Beyond Negative
While often negative, '過ぎる' can sometimes just mean 'passed' (like a location) or describe something intensely positive (though potentially overwhelmingly so).
Noun + を + 過ぎる
This pattern is common for physical movement: 'pass the station' (駅を過ぎる eki o sugiru). Note the particle 'を'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sugary' (sounds like sugi) cake that is SO sweet, it's 'too much'! Sugary = Sugiru.
Visual Association
Picture a clock face where the hands have spun around way too many times, going past the normal limit.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try describing three things you ate or experienced today that were 'too much' or 'too long' using 過ぎる.
Wortherkunft
Japanese
Original meaning: To pass over, to go beyond, to exceed.
Kultureller Kontext
Complaining about things being 'too much' (e.g., too hot, too expensive) is common and generally not sensitive. However, criticizing someone's actions as 'going too far' (度を過ぎる) requires careful consideration of the social context.
In English-speaking cultures, the concept of 'too much' is often expressed with phrases like 'too much of a good thing', 'over the top', or specific adjectives like 'excessive'. The Japanese 過ぎる verb offers a concise grammatical way to express this.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Food & Drink
- 食べ過ぎる (tabesugiru) - To eat too much
- 飲みすぎる (nomisugiru) - To drink too much
- 甘すぎる (amasugiru) - Too sweet
Work & Effort
- 働きすぎる (hatarakisugiru) - To work too much
- 疲れすぎる (tsukaresugiru) - To get too tired
- 残業しすぎる (zangyō shisugiru) - To work overtime too much
Time & Schedule
- 時間が過ぎる (jikan ga sugiru) - Time passes
- 予定時間を過ぎる (yotei jikan o sugiru) - To pass the scheduled time
- 締め切りを過ぎる (shimekiri o sugiru) - To pass the deadline
Descriptions & Opinions
- 暑すぎる (atsusugiru) - Too hot
- 高すぎる (takasugiru) - Too expensive
- うるさすぎる (urusasugiru) - Too noisy
Conversation Starters
"昨日は食べ過ぎてしまいました。皆さんはどうですか？ (Kinō wa tabesugite shimaimashita. Minasan wa dō desu ka?)"
"最近、時間が経つのが速すぎると感じませんか？ (Saikin, jikan ga tatsu no ga hayasugiru to kanjimasen ka?)"
"この値段はちょっと高すぎるとは思いませんか？ (Kono nedan wa chotto takasugiru to wa omoimasen ka?)"
"働きすぎには注意しましょう。皆さんはどうやってリラックスしていますか？ (Hatarakisugi ni wa chūi shimashō. Minasan wa dō yatte rirakkusu shite imasu ka?)"
"今日の天気は暑すぎますね！何か涼む方法はありますか？ (Kyō no tenki wa atsusugimasu ne! Nanika suzumu hōhō wa arimasu ka?)"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you ate too much (食べ過ぎた) and how you felt afterwards.
Describe a situation where time seemed to pass too quickly (時間が経ち過ぎる).
Reflect on something that you felt was 'too much' (～すぎる) recently, and why.
Think about a goal you have. How can you work towards it without 'working too much' (働きすぎない)?
Describe a place you visited that was overwhelmingly beautiful (目に過ぎるほど美しい).
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenWhile both mean 'to exceed', 過ぎる often implies a state of being 'too much' or simply 'passing by' in time/space. 超える is more often used for surpassing specific numerical limits, boundaries, or goals. For example, '予算を過ぎる' (yosan o sugiru) might mean the budget period has passed, while '予算を超える' (yosan o koeru) means exceeding the budget amount.
Yes, absolutely! You can say 悲しみすぎる (kanashimisugiru - to grieve too much), 喜びすぎる (yorokobisugiru - to rejoice too much), or 心配しすぎる (shinpai shisugiru - to worry too much).
For i-adjectives, drop the final 'i' and add 過ぎる (e.g., 熱い -> 熱すぎる atsu-sugiru). For na-adjectives, use the na particle: 静か -> 静かすぎる shizuka-sugiru. For nouns, you typically use the verb form + 過ぎる, like '勉強しすぎる' (benkyō shisugiru - to study too much) for 'study'.
Not necessarily, but it often carries a nuance of excess that might be undesirable. For example, '綺麗すぎる' (kirei sugiru - too beautiful) can sometimes imply an unnatural or overwhelming beauty. However, context is key; sometimes it just means 'passed' without a strong negative judgment.
This is a very common pattern meaning 'to do the verb V excessively' or 'too much'. For example, 飲み過ぎる (nomisugiru) means 'to drink too much'.
Yes. For example, you can say 'バス停を過ぎる' (basutei o sugiru) meaning 'to pass the bus stop'. It indicates going beyond a specific point.
過ぎる is about passing, exceeding, or being too much. 過ごす is a verb meaning 'to spend time' or 'to live'. They sound similar but have different meanings and kanji (過 vs. 過).
Very common! You'll hear and use it frequently when talking about food portions, work hours, weather, prices, and general experiences of excess or time passing.
Teste dich selbst
このジュースは甘______。
The sentence describes the juice as 'sweet', and the context implies 'too sweet'. 甘すぎる (amasugiru) means 'too sweet'.
Which sentence means 'I worked too much'?
The pattern Verb (te-form) + 過ぎる means 'to do the verb too much'. 働きすぎました is the past tense of 働きすぎる.
If you say 'V-て + 過ぎる', it means you did the action V 'not enough'.
V-て + 過ぎる means 'to do V excessively' or 'too much', the opposite of 'not enough'.
Word
Bedeutung
These pairs match common usages of 過ぎる with their meanings.
The correct sentence is 'このバッグは高すぎます (Kono baggu wa takasugimasu)', meaning 'This bag is too expensive'.
彼の態度は______。
The context suggests his attitude is unacceptable or extreme. '度を過ぎる (do o sugiru)' means 'to go too far'.
Which phrase best describes a situation where beauty is almost overwhelming or unsettling?
'綺麗すぎる (kirei sugiru)' implies a beauty that surpasses the normal or comfortable level, potentially feeling excessive.
その文学作品は、単なる悲劇を______、存在論的な苦悩を描いている。
'過ぎて (sugite)' is used here in the structure 'Aを過ぎる B' meaning 'B, going beyond A', indicating the work transcends mere tragedy.
あまりにも多くの選択肢は、かえって決断能力を麻痺させ、自由意志の行使を______。
The sentence discusses the negative consequence of too many choices, leading to paralysis. '阻害しすぎる (sogaishisugiru)' means 'to hinder too much', fitting the context of negative excess.
Translate: 'His jokes are always over the top.'
'Over the top' corresponds well to the idiom '度を過ぎる (do o sugiru)'.
Ergebnis: /10
Summary
Mastering 過ぎる unlocks nuanced expressions of excess and passage in Japanese.
- 過ぎる (sugiru) means to pass, exceed, or be too much/too long.
- Commonly used with V-て + 過ぎる (e.g., 食べ過ぎる - eat too much).
- Also used with adjective stems (e.g., 高すぎる - too expensive).
- Can describe physical movement (passing a point) or abstract excess.
The 'Sugary' Mnemonic
Remember 過ぎる sounds like 'sugary'. Imagine eating a cake that's 'sugary' and just WAY too sweet – that's 過ぎる!
Te-Form is Your Friend
Mastering the V-て + 過ぎる pattern is crucial. Practice making sentences like 'I slept too much' (寝坊しすぎた - nebosugita) or 'I talked too much' (話しすぎた - hanashisugita).
The Value of Moderation
Japanese culture often values moderation. Think about how 過ぎる highlights the negative consequences of excess, which is a common cultural theme.
Adjective Stem Rule
Don't forget: for i-adjectives, drop the final 'i' before adding 過ぎる (e.g., 'cold' -> 寒い samui -> 寒すぎる samusugiru).
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