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How to Use すぎる in Japanese: Meaning, Rules, and Examples

Have you ever wanted to say something was “too hot,” “too fast,” or “too difficult” in Japanese?
If you’ve struggled to express “too much” of anything while speaking Japanese, the word you’re looking for is すぎる (sugiru).

This small but powerful verb plays a big role in Japanese conversations. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for fluency, learning how to use すぎる can instantly make your speech more natural and expressive.

So, what does すぎる mean in Japanese?
It means “too much,” “overly,” or “excessively.” For example:

暑すぎる (atsusugiru) – It’s too hot
食べすぎた (tabesugita) – I ate too much

Think of すぎる like a magnifying glass. It helps you describe too much of anything—from emotions to actions and everything in between. And the best part? It’s super easy to use once you know the rules!

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

What すぎる means and how it works
Everyday phrases using すぎる
How to conjugate it with any verb or adjective
Common mistakes and how to avoid them

By the end of this post, you’ll be confidently using すぎる in your daily Japanese, whether you’re speaking casually with friends or writing something more formal.

Ready to learn one of the most useful grammar points in Japanese?
Let’s dive in.

What Is すぎる in Japanese? Explanation and Overview

If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed in Japan by food that was too spicy, a schedule that was too packed, or prices that were too high, then すぎる is a must-know word for you.

💡 What does すぎる mean?

The word すぎる (sugiru) is a helper verb in Japanese that means “too much,” “overdo,” or “go beyond a limit.” It can be attached to verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives to express excessiveness.

This grammar point helps you express that something is:

Too hot (暑すぎる)
Too expensive (高すぎる)
Too tired (疲れすぎた)
Too kind (親切すぎる)

You can use it in both positive and negative contexts, but the meaning always revolves around something going beyond what is normal or acceptable.

🧠 Why is すぎる so important?

Understanding すぎる helps you:

Express emotions more accurately
Describe physical states and conditions
Talk about behavior or habits that go too far
Sound more fluent and natural when giving opinions

It’s especially useful in everyday speech. Just like we often say “too much” or “overly” in English, Japanese speakers use すぎる all the time.

🔄 The Root Word: 過ぎる (すぎる)

Technically, すぎる comes from the kanji 過ぎる, which means “to pass” or “to go beyond.” Over time, it evolved into a grammar tool that lets you express when something goes beyond normal levels.

The base verb form: すぎる
Past form: すぎた
Negative form: すぎない
Polite form: すぎます

✍️ Basic Structure

Here’s how it typically works:

Base Word Type	Rule	Example
Verb (ます stem)	Verb stem + すぎる	食べすぎる (to eat too much)
I-adjective	Remove い + すぎる	高すぎる (too expensive)
Na-adjective	Just add すぎる after the adjective	きれいすぎる (too pretty)

Don’t worry if that looks tricky—we’ll break it all down step by step in the upcoming sections.

📘 Subtle Meaning Note

Sometimes, すぎる implies a negative effect or a warning. For example:

食べすぎるとお腹が痛くなるよ。
If you eat too much, your stomach will hurt.

So while it’s grammatically neutral, it often carries a feeling of “too much for comfort.”

Everyday Sentences Using すぎる: 10 Common Examples

One of the best ways to master grammar is to see it in action. Let’s explore some real-life Japanese sentences where すぎる helps express everyday feelings and situations clearly and naturally.

These examples include verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives, giving you a full view of how すぎる works in daily conversations.

🗣️ Common Sentences Using すぎる

Each sentence includes the Japanese, romaji, and English translation so you can read, pronounce, and understand them with ease.

📌 With Verbs

食べすぎたから、お腹が痛い。
Tabesugita kara, onaka ga itai.
I ate too much, so my stomach hurts.
彼は働きすぎて、疲れている。
Kare wa hatarakisugite, tsukarete iru.
He worked too much and is tired.
飲みすぎないように気をつけて。
Nomisuginai yō ni ki o tsukete.
Be careful not to drink too much.

📌 With I-Adjectives

このコーヒーは熱すぎる！
Kono kōhī wa atsusugiru!
This coffee is too hot!
その山は高すぎて登れない。
Sono yama wa takasugite noborenai.
That mountain is too high to climb.
この靴は小さすぎます。
Kono kutsu wa chīsasugimasu.
These shoes are too small.

📌 With Na-Adjectives

彼女は親切すぎると思う。
Kanojo wa shinsetsusugiru to omou.
I think she’s too kind.
この映画は静かすぎて眠くなった。
Kono eiga wa shizukasugite nemuku natta.
This movie was too quiet, I got sleepy.
その部屋はきれいすぎて落ち着かない。
Sono heya wa kireisugite ochitsukanai.
The room is too clean; I can’t relax.

📌 Mixed Context

難しすぎる問題には挑戦したくない。
Muzukashisugiru mondai ni wa chōsen shitakunai.
I don’t want to try problems that are too difficult.

📝 Quick Notes:

You can use すぎる in both casual and polite forms.
For verbs, use the ます stem before adding すぎる.
For i-adjectives, drop the い, then add すぎる.
For na-adjectives, just add すぎる directly.

When to Use すぎる in Japanese: All the Key Situations

Understanding when to use すぎる can instantly help you speak more naturally and confidently in Japanese. Whether you’re describing how someone behaves, how something feels, or giving advice, すぎる is your go-to expression when something goes beyond the normal limit.

Below is a detailed list of key situations where native speakers often use すぎる.

📍 1. When Talking About Too Much of an Action

Use すぎる after the verb stem to say someone is doing something excessively.

Examples:

食べすぎる – to eat too much
働きすぎる – to work too much
話しすぎる – to talk too much
寝すぎる – to sleep too much

🟢 Common in casual chats, doctor visits, or giving lifestyle advice.

📍 2. When Describing Excessive Feelings or States

Use すぎる to talk about emotions or physical conditions that are too strong.

Examples:

嬉しすぎる – too happy
怖すぎる – too scary
疲れすぎた – too tired

🟢 Used in daily conversations and personal reflections.

📍 3. When Complaining or Warning

Use すぎる to express discomfort, complaints, or give mild warnings.

Examples:

甘すぎる – too sweet
静かすぎて不気味 – too quiet, it’s creepy
飲みすぎたら危ない – if you drink too much, it’s dangerous

🟢 Shows concern, dislike, or caution in real-life situations.

📍 4. When Complimenting (But with a Limit)

Sometimes, すぎる can sound positive, but still suggests “too much to handle.”

Examples:

かわいすぎる！– Too cute!
優しすぎて泣ける – So kind it makes me cry
美しすぎる景色 – A view too beautiful for words

🟢 Used in dramatic or emotional expressions, often online or in entertainment.

📍 5. When Giving Advice or Suggestions

Use すぎる to suggest moderation or correct a behavior gently.

Examples:

働きすぎないでね – Don’t work too much
頑張りすぎると疲れるよ – If you push yourself too hard, you’ll get tired
急ぎすぎると失敗するよ – If you rush too much, you might fail

🟢 Helpful in giving soft, non-blaming suggestions.

📍 6. When Talking About Prices or Quantity

Want to say something is too expensive or too much? すぎる makes it simple.

Examples:

高すぎる – too expensive
多すぎる – too many
買いすぎた – bought too much

🟢 Very useful for shopping and budgeting talk.

📍 7. When Expressing Inability Due to Extremes

Use すぎる when something is too [X] to do [Y].

Examples:

難しすぎてできない – too hard to do
暗すぎて見えない – too dark to see
忙しすぎて会えない – too busy to meet

🟢 Shows real-life limitations clearly and naturally.

✅ Recap: When Should You Use すぎる?

Situation Type	Example Expression	Meaning
Too much of an action	寝すぎる	sleep too much
Excessive emotion/state	怒りすぎる	get too angry
Warning or complaint	飲みすぎた	drank too much
Compliment with intensity	かわいすぎる	too cute
Advice or suggestions	働きすぎないで	don’t overwork
Price/quantity statements	多すぎる	too much/many
Inability due to extremes	忙しすぎて行けない	too busy to go

Conjugation Rules for すぎる in Japanese

Learning how to conjugate すぎる correctly is the key to using it naturally in conversation. The good news? It’s straightforward once you understand the pattern.

In this section, you’ll learn:

How to attach すぎる to verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives
How to change すぎる into different forms (past, negative, polite, etc.)
Easy-to-follow conjugation tables

Let’s break it down step by step.

🔧 Step 1: Attaching すぎる to Different Word Types

✅ With Verbs

Use the ます stem (the base form before ます) + すぎる.

Dictionary Form	ます Stem	+ すぎる	Meaning
食べる	食べ	食べすぎる	to eat too much
飲む	飲み	飲みすぎる	to drink too much
話す	話し	話しすぎる	to talk too much
寝る	寝	寝すぎる	to sleep too much
勉強する	勉強し	勉強しすぎる	to study too much

✅ With I-Adjectives

Remove the final い, then add すぎる.

I-Adjective	Remove い	+ すぎる	Meaning
高い	高	高すぎる	too expensive
寒い	寒	寒すぎる	too cold
速い	速	速すぎる	too fast
難しい	難し	難しすぎる	too difficult

🔔 Note: Do not change to the て-form or past form before adding すぎる.

✅ With Na-Adjectives

Just add すぎる directly after the adjective.

Na-Adjective	+ すぎる	Meaning
きれい	きれいすぎる	too pretty
静か	静かすぎる	too quiet
親切	親切すぎる	too kind
元気	元気すぎる	too energetic

🔄 Step 2: Conjugating すぎる Itself

Now that you know how to build the base form, you can conjugate すぎる just like a regular Ichidan (る) verb.

Tense/Form	Conjugation	Example	Meaning
Present	～すぎる	食べすぎる	to eat too much
Polite Present	～すぎます	食べすぎます	(polite) eat too much
Past	～すぎた	飲みすぎた	drank too much
Polite Past	～すぎました	飲みすぎました	(polite) drank too much
Negative	～すぎない	働きすぎない	don’t work too much
Polite Negative	～すぎません	働きすぎません	(polite) don’t work too much
Te-form	～すぎて	寝すぎて	(after) sleeping too much

📝 Pro Tips:

You can conjugate the whole phrase, not just すぎる.
In longer sentences, combine with other grammar:
- 食べすぎて気持ち悪い – I ate too much and feel sick
- 速すぎて見えない – It’s too fast to see

すぎる Grammar Rules You Need to Know

Now that you understand how to form and conjugate すぎる, let’s explore the essential grammar rules that will help you use it accurately, naturally, and confidently in real conversations.

These rules cover sentence structure, context, and meaning. Following them will help you avoid confusion and sound more fluent in Japanese.

📚 Rule 1: Use the Correct Base Form Before Adding すぎる

As explained earlier, the base form depends on the word type:

Verbs → Use the ます stem
- 飲む → 飲み → 飲みすぎる
I-adjectives → Remove the い
- 高い → 高 → 高すぎる
Na-adjectives → Add directly
- きれい → きれいすぎる

🔴 Don’t use dictionary forms or て-forms directly before すぎる.

📚 Rule 2: すぎる Expresses Excess or “Overdoing”

The word すぎる always adds the meaning of “too much,” “overly,” or “excessively.”

It is not just emphasis—it means something is beyond the desirable, normal, or acceptable level.

Examples:

勉強しすぎた – I studied too much (beyond what was good)
甘すぎるケーキ – A cake that is too sweet to enjoy

🟡 This often carries a negative or problematic nuance.

📚 Rule 3: すぎる Is Often Paired with Results or Reactions

You’ll often see すぎる followed by another phrase explaining the result of the excess.

Examples:

飲みすぎて、気持ち悪い。
(I drank too much and feel sick.)
暑すぎて、外に出られない。
(It’s too hot, so I can’t go outside.)

This structure is especially useful for cause-and-effect statements.

📚 Rule 4: すぎる Can Be Used with Both Positive and Negative Words

While すぎる usually carries a negative feeling, it can also be used with positive words to express a strong emotional reaction—especially in casual speech, social media, or dramatic situations.

Examples:

この服、かわいすぎる！
(This outfit is too cute!)
彼、優しすぎて泣ける。
(He’s so kind, it makes me want to cry.)

🟢 In this context, the “too much” is emotionally intense but not necessarily bad.

📚 Rule 5: すぎる Is a Verb—So It Can Be Fully Conjugated

Since すぎる behaves like a regular Ichidan verb, you can use all verb conjugation forms:

Polite: 高すぎます (too expensive)
Negative: 飲みすぎない (not drink too much)
Te-form: 急ぎすぎて転んだ (hurried too much and fell)
Past: 話しすぎた (talked too much)

This gives you the flexibility to use すぎる in any situation—questions, commands, conditionals, and more.

📚 Rule 6: Do Not Confuse すぎる with すぐ or すごい

Many beginners confuse すぎる (too much) with:

すぐ (sugu) = immediately
すごい (sugoi) = amazing

They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.

Word	Meaning	Example
すぎる	too much	食べすぎる – eat too much
すぐ	immediately	すぐ行きます – I’ll go now
すごい	amazing	すごい映画 – an amazing movie

🛑 Be careful not to mix them up!

✅ Grammar Structure Summary

Part of Speech	Rule	Example
Verb	ます-stem + すぎる	飲みすぎる
I-adjective	Remove い + すぎる	高すぎる
Na-adjective	Add すぎる directly	静かすぎる
Full sentence	Subject + Phrase + Result	暑すぎて出られない

Important Tips for Using すぎる Correctly

Even though すぎる is simple in form, it can get tricky in real-life use—especially when you want to sound natural, respectful, or emotionally accurate. In this section, we’ll share some fresh, real-world tips that even intermediate learners might not know.

🎯 Tip 1: Use すぎる to Sound Polite and Subtle in Opinions

In Japanese culture, being indirect is important. When giving feedback or soft criticism, すぎる helps keep your tone gentle.

Instead of:

この料理はまずい。
(This food tastes bad.) ← Too direct

Try:

この料理はちょっと味が濃すぎるかも。
(This dish might be a little too strong in flavor.)

🟢 Use すぎる + かもしれない (might be) or ちょっと (a bit) to soften your message.

🎯 Tip 2: Add よう or みたい to Make Observations Less Personal

When observing someone else’s behavior, Japanese prefers non-blaming language.

Example:

彼は働きすぎるようだ。
(It seems like he overworks.)
子どもたちは遊びすぎたみたい。
(It looks like the kids played too much.)

🟢 This is great for making observations without sounding like you’re judging.

🎯 Tip 3: Use すぎる to Show Emotion or Dramatic Effect in Casual Speech

In informal conversations or social media, すぎる can become exaggerated for fun or drama.

Examples:

あのアイドル、かっこよすぎて死ぬ！
(That idol is too cool—I’m dying!) ← Dramatic, humorous tone
今日の天気、最高すぎる！
(The weather today is way too perfect!)

🟢 This usage is common among young people, on Twitter/X, and in texting.

🎯 Tip 4: Don’t Overuse すぎる in Formal Writing

In formal writing (e.g., business emails, academic papers), using すぎる too often can sound emotional or subjective. Instead, opt for:

やや多い傾向がある (there is a tendency to be slightly high)
過剰な (excessive) + noun: 過剰な消費 (excessive consumption)

🟡 Save すぎる for personal opinions, daily communication, or narrative writing.

🎯 Tip 5: Combine すぎる with そう to Talk About Impressions

Want to say something looks too much of something? Combine [stem] + すぎ + そう.

Examples:

辛すぎそうなラーメン
(Ramen that looks too spicy)
難しすぎそうな問題
(A problem that seems too hard)

🟢 This is a neat way to describe appearances or assumptions.

🎯 Tip 6: Sound Natural by Using Collocations Native Speakers Use

Certain expressions with すぎる are more common than others. Try memorizing these high-frequency pairs:

やりすぎる – overdo (something)
話しすぎる – talk too much
かわいすぎる – too cute
急ぎすぎる – rush too much
見すぎる – watch too much (e.g., TV)

🟢 Using these natural collocations will boost your fluency instantly.

Common Mistakes with すぎる and How to Fix Them

Even though すぎる is easy to understand, it’s also easy to use incorrectly, especially if you’re translating directly from English or unsure about Japanese sentence flow. Below are the most common slip-ups learners make—along with clear corrections to fix them fast.

❌ Mistake 1: Using the Dictionary Form of Verbs Instead of the ます Stem

Many beginners forget to convert the verb to its correct stem before adding すぎる.

Wrong:
食べるすぎる ❌
Right:
食べすぎる ✅
(To eat too much)

🔁 Fix it: Always use the verb stem, not the full dictionary form.

❌ Mistake 2: Keeping the い in I-Adjectives

Leaving the い in place leads to unnatural and incorrect combinations.

Wrong:
高いすぎる ❌
Right:
高すぎる ✅
(Too expensive)

🔁 Fix it: Drop the final い from i-adjectives before adding すぎる.

❌ Mistake 3: Adding “の” Between Adjective/Verb and すぎる

Some learners mistakenly insert a possessive “の” where it doesn’t belong.

Wrong:
美味しいのすぎる ❌
Right:
美味しすぎる ✅
(Too delicious)

🔁 Fix it: Never add の between the word and すぎる.

❌ Mistake 4: Using すぎる Without Context

Saying just “すぎる！” on its own doesn’t make sense unless there’s clear context. It leaves listeners confused: What is too much?

Wrong:
“すぎる！” ❌ (Too what?)
Right:
“高すぎる！” ✅ (It’s too expensive!)

🔁 Fix it: Always include what is being exaggerated.

❌ Mistake 5: Forgetting to Match Formality

Mixing polite and plain forms incorrectly makes your sentence sound unnatural.

Wrong:
このケーキは甘すぎるんです。とても食べられないです。❌
(Mix of plain and polite)
Right:
このケーキは甘すぎます。とても食べられません。 ✅

🔁 Fix it: Keep your formality level consistent throughout the sentence.

❌ Mistake 6: Misusing すぎる for “Very” Instead of “Too”

Many learners use すぎる when they actually mean “very” or “a lot,” which can completely change the meaning.

Wrong:
楽しかった！楽しすぎた！
(*Intended: “It was very fun.” Actually: “It was too fun (maybe over the top or exhausting)”)
Better:
とても楽しかった！ ✅

🔁 Fix it: Use とても / すごく for “very.” Use すぎる only when it’s too much.

❌ Mistake 7: Overusing すぎる in Serious or Formal Settings

Even if your grammar is perfect, using すぎる too much in formal or sensitive topics can sound emotional or inappropriate.

Wrong:
社長の話は長すぎると思います。❌
(Sounds rude)
Better:
社長のご説明は少し長めでした。 ✅
(The explanation was a bit long.)

🔁 Fix it: In serious settings, express excess with softer or more formal alternatives.

❌ Mistake 8: Adding です After Plain すぎる Forms

This is a small but common error when learners mix grammar patterns.

Wrong:
この道は狭すぎるです。❌
Right:
この道は狭すぎます。 ✅

🔁 Fix it: Either use the polite ます form or finish the sentence with だ (plain), not both.

20 すぎる Example Sentences for Better Understanding

To master any grammar point, real examples are key. Below are 20 carefully selected sentences using すぎる with verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives. Each one is written to help you see, feel, and use すぎる in real conversations.

Each sentence includes:

Japanese (with kanji)
Romaji (for pronunciation)
English translation (natural, conversational)

🔹 Everyday Actions (Verbs)

テレビを見すぎて、目が疲れた。
Terebi o misugite, me ga tsukareta.
I watched too much TV and my eyes got tired.
仕事しすぎて、週末は寝てばかりいた。
Shigoto shisugite, shūmatsu wa nete bakari ita.
I worked too much, so I just slept all weekend.
お菓子を食べすぎると、太るよ。
Okashi o tabesugiru to, futoru yo.
If you eat too many sweets, you’ll gain weight.
彼はスマホを使いすぎる傾向がある。
Kare wa sumaho o tsukaisugiru keikō ga aru.
He tends to use his smartphone too much.
彼女は笑いすぎて涙が出た。
Kanojo wa waraisugite namida ga deta.
She laughed so much that tears came out.

🔹 Physical & Emotional States (I-Adjectives)

この部屋は寒すぎて震える。
Kono heya wa samusugite furueru.
This room is so cold it makes me shiver.
値段が高すぎて買えなかった。
Nedan ga takasugite kaenakatta.
It was too expensive, so I couldn’t buy it.
難しすぎる問題には手を出さない。
Muzukashisugiru mondai ni wa te o dasanai.
I don’t touch problems that are too difficult.
声が小さすぎて聞こえないよ。
Koe ga chīsasugite kikoenai yo.
Your voice is too quiet—I can’t hear you.
この靴、可愛すぎて即買った！
Kono kutsu, kawaisugite sokubatta!
These shoes were too cute—I bought them immediately!

🔹 Personality & Feelings (Na-Adjectives)

彼は親切すぎて、断れないタイプ。
Kare wa shinsetsusugite, kotowarenai taipu.
He’s too kind—he can’t say no to anyone.
このお店、静かすぎて落ち着かない。
Kono omise, shizukasugite ochitsukanai.
This shop is too quiet—it makes me uneasy.
元気すぎる子どもたちにびっくりした。
Genki sugiru kodomotachi ni bikkuri shita.
I was surprised by how energetic the kids were!
その説明は丁寧すぎて、逆に分かりにくかった。
Sono setsumei wa teineisugite, gyaku ni wakarinikukatta.
The explanation was too detailed—it actually made it harder to understand.
彼女は完璧すぎて近寄りにくい。
Kanojo wa kanpeki sugite chikayorinikui.
She’s so perfect, it’s hard to approach her.

🔹 Everyday Situations (Mixed)

急ぎすぎて電車に乗り遅れた。
Isogisugite densha ni noriokureta.
I rushed too much and missed the train.
食べ物を注文しすぎて、テーブルに乗らなかった。
Tabemono o chūmon shisugite, tēburu ni noranakatta.
We ordered too much food—it didn’t fit on the table!
運動しすぎたから、今日は筋肉痛です。
Undō shisugita kara, kyō wa kinnikutū desu.
I exercised too much, so I have sore muscles today.
彼のジョークは下品すぎると思う。
Kare no jōku wa gehinsugiru to omou.
I think his jokes are a bit too crude.
寝すぎて、頭がぼーっとする。
Nesugite, atama ga bōtto suru.
I slept too much and now my head feels foggy.

すぎる Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise: Test Your Knowledge

Ready to see how much you’ve learned? These 20 fill-in-the-blank questions are crafted to help you review how to correctly form and use すぎる with verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives in real-world situations.

Each sentence has one blank. Choose the correct form by applying the rules and patterns we’ve covered.

✍️ Tip: If you’re not sure, try to identify if the word before the blank is a verb, i-adjective, or na-adjective—then think about what needs to change before adding すぎる.

✏️ Fill in the Blank Sentences

このカレーは _________ て食べられない。
昨日、映画を _________ から、目が疲れた。
彼女の話は _________ て、ちょっと怖かった。
朝ごはんを _________ せいで、お腹が苦しい。
この問題は _________ て、まだ理解できない。
あの猫は _________ て、みんなが写真を撮っていた。
暑 _________ て、外で遊びたくない。
元気 _________ 子どもたちが走り回っていた。
静か _________ 教室では声を出しにくい。
コーヒーを _________ せいで眠れなかった。
ゲームを _________ と、時間が無くなるよ。
この靴は _________ て、足が痛い。
プレゼントが _________ て、彼女は涙を流した。
今日の会議は _________ て、途中で寝そうになった。
彼の性格は _________ て、ちょっと疲れる。
先生の説明が _________ ので、逆に混乱した。
彼は頑張り _________ タイプです。
お金を _________ と後で困るよ。
その建物は高 _________ て、見上げるのが大変だった。
寝 _________ から、朝起きられなかった。

Check Your Answers for the すぎる Exercise

Compare your answers carefully. If you got a few wrong—don’t worry! This is how we learn.

✅ Answer Key

このカレーは 辛すぎて 食べられない。
Kono karē wa karasugite taberarenai.
🌐 This curry is too spicy to eat.
昨日、映画を 見すぎた から、目が疲れた。
Kinō, eiga o misugita kara, me ga tsukareta.
🌐 I watched too many movies yesterday, so my eyes are tired.
彼女の話は 怖すぎて、ちょっと怖かった。
Kanojo no hanashi wa kowasugite, chotto kowakatta.
🌐 Her story was too scary—it freaked me out a little.
朝ごはんを 食べすぎた せいで、お腹が苦しい。
Asagohan o tabesugita sei de, onaka ga kurushii.
🌐 I ate too much breakfast, and now my stomach feels tight.
この問題は 難しすぎて、まだ理解できない。
Kono mondai wa muzukashisugite, mada rikai dekinai.
🌐 This problem is too hard—I still can’t understand it.
あの猫は 可愛すぎて、みんなが写真を撮っていた。
Ano neko wa kawaisugite, minna ga shashin o totte ita.
🌐 That cat was too cute—everyone was taking pictures.
暑 すぎて、外で遊びたくない。
Atsusugite, soto de asobitakunai.
🌐 It’s too hot—I don’t want to play outside.
元気すぎる 子どもたちが走り回っていた。
Genki sugiru kodomotachi ga hashirimawatte ita.
🌐 The kids were running around—they were way too energetic!
静かすぎる 教室では声を出しにくい。
Shizukasugiru kyōshitsu de wa koe o dashi nikui.
🌐 It’s hard to speak up in such a quiet classroom.
コーヒーを 飲みすぎた せいで眠れなかった。
Kōhī o nomisugita sei de nemurenakatta.
🌐 I couldn’t sleep because I drank too much coffee.
ゲームを やりすぎる と、時間が無くなるよ。
Gēmu o yarisugiru to, jikan ga nakunaru yo.
🌐 If you play too many games, you’ll run out of time.
この靴は 小さすぎて、足が痛い。
Kono kutsu wa chīsasugite, ashi ga itai.
🌐 These shoes are too small—they hurt my feet.
プレゼントが 嬉しすぎて、彼女は涙を流した。
Purezento ga ureshisugite, kanojo wa namida o nagashita.
🌐 She was so happy with the gift that she cried.
今日の会議は 長すぎて、途中で寝そうになった。
Kyō no kaigi wa nagasugite, tochū de nesō ni natta.
🌐 Today’s meeting was so long I almost fell asleep halfway through.
彼の性格は 真面目すぎて、ちょっと疲れる。
Kare no seikaku wa majimesugite, chotto tsukareru.
🌐 His personality is too serious—it’s kind of exhausting.
先生の説明が 丁寧すぎた ので、逆に混乱した。
Sensei no setsumei ga teineisugita node, gyaku ni konran shita.
🌐 The teacher’s explanation was too detailed—it actually confused me.
彼は 頑張りすぎる タイプです。
Kare wa gambarusugiru taipu desu.
🌐 He’s the type who pushes himself too hard.
お金を 使いすぎる と後で困るよ。
Okane o tsukaisugiru to ato de komaru yo.
🌐 If you spend too much money, you’ll be in trouble later.
その建物は 高すぎて、見上げるのが大変だった。
Sono tatemono wa takasugite, miageru no ga taihen datta.
🌐 That building was so tall, it was hard to look up at it.
寝すぎた から、朝起きられなかった。
Nesugita kara, asa okirarenakatta.
🌐 I overslept and couldn’t wake up in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About すぎる

These short, direct answers are meant to clarify confusion, fix subtle mistakes, and build confidence in using すぎる like a native.

❓ Q1. Can すぎる be used in polite sentences?

Yes.
Simply conjugate すぎる to its polite form:

食べすぎる → 食べすぎます (I eat too much)
高すぎる → 高すぎます (It’s too expensive)

Use polite forms when speaking to people you don’t know well, in formal settings, or when being respectful.

❓ Q2. Can I use すぎる in the past tense?

Yes.
Since すぎる is a verb, just conjugate it like any regular Ichidan (る) verb:

話しすぎた – I talked too much
飲みすぎました – (Polite) I drank too much

Use the past tense to describe things that already happened in excess.

❓ Q3. Is すぎる always negative?

No.
While すぎる often implies a negative or problematic amount, it can also be used to express extreme emotion or exaggeration, especially in casual or dramatic speech.

この服、かわいすぎる！
(This outfit is way too cute! – positive tone)

Just remember that in formal or objective situations, using すぎる for emphasis may seem overly emotional.

❓ Q4. What’s the difference between すぎる and とても or すごく?

すぎる = “Too much” (beyond acceptable limit)
とても / すごく = “Very” (a high but acceptable degree)

Examples:

甘すぎる – too sweet
とても甘い – very sweet

Use とても or すごく when you want to say something is intense but not bad.

❓ Q5. Can I use すぎる with nouns?

Not directly.
すぎる attaches to verbs and adjectives, not to standalone nouns.

Incorrect:
× お金すぎる ❌
Correct:
お金を使いすぎる ✅ (spend too much money)

However, you can rephrase to describe the action related to the noun.

❓ Q6. Is すぎる gendered or age-specific?

No.
すぎる is a neutral grammar point used by all genders and ages, though the tone and expression around it may vary:

Children might say: おもちゃがたのしすぎる！
Adults might say: 飲みすぎたから早く帰ります。

Everyone uses it—just adjust your speech formality depending on context.

❓ Q7. Can I use すぎる in commands or suggestions?

Not commonly.
You generally don’t command someone to “do too much” of something. Instead, warn or advise them:

飲みすぎないでください。(Please don’t drink too much.)
働きすぎないようにね。(Try not to overwork yourself.)

Use the negative form to offer polite advice or care.

❓ Q8. Can I use すぎる with multiple adjectives?

Yes, but carefully.
You can use multiple adjectives with すぎる if they are similar in tone and meaning:

高すぎて重すぎるカバン – A bag that’s too expensive and too heavy
But don’t overuse すぎる in the same sentence—it can sound unnatural.

❓ Q9. How do I say “too many” or “too much of a noun”?

Use ～すぎる with a verb like ある, いる, or する:

人が多すぎる – Too many people
食べ物を持ちすぎている – Carrying too much food

Or rephrase using quantity-related expressions.

❓ Q10. Can I combine すぎる with other grammar patterns?

Yes!
You can use it with:

て-form: 飲みすぎて眠れない (I drank too much and can’t sleep)
かもしれない: 辛すぎるかもしれない (It might be too spicy)
ようだ / みたい: 働きすぎるようだ (Seems like he overworks)

This allows you to soften, extend, or observe with nuance.

Key Takeaways: すぎる Summary and Important Points

すぎる means “too much” or “excessively” and adds the idea of going beyond what is good or reasonable.
It attaches to the ます-stem of verbs, i-adjectives (minus い), and na-adjectives.
It’s commonly used to express negative results or uncomfortable excess.
In casual speech, it can also express strong emotions or dramatic reactions.
It can be fully conjugated like any regular verb (polite, negative, past, te-form, etc.).
Use ちょっと, かもしれない, or ようだ with すぎる to sound more polite or less direct.
Avoid common mistakes like using the dictionary form of verbs, keeping the い in i-adjectives, or using すぎる with nouns.
Don’t confuse it with すごい (amazing) or すぐ (immediately).
It’s not always negative—context and tone decide the meaning.
Perfect for talking about health, emotions, actions, food, weather, and everyday situations.

Conclusion: Mastering すぎる in Japanese | My Language Classes

Learning to use すぎる correctly can transform how you express emotions, opinions, and experiences in Japanese. Whether you’re talking about food that’s too spicy, weather that’s too hot, or people who are too kind, this one grammar point gives you a natural, relatable way to speak with real fluency.

It’s simple, but powerful—and now, you know how to:

Conjugate it with verbs, adjectives, and polite forms
Avoid mistakes that make speech sound awkward
Recognize emotional tones and use it for both seriousness and fun
Practice naturally with real-world examples and quizzes

🎯 Keep going! The more you listen, read, write, and speak with すぎる in context, the more automatic and natural it will feel. Mistakes are part of the process—just keep practicing and reflecting.