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Too much / excessively
Definition
The grammar pattern 〜すぎる is used to express excess or overdoing. It can be used with verbs, adjectives, and adverbs to convey that something is too much or excessive. This pattern is often used to describe situations where someone has done something to an extreme degree, such as eating too much or being too quiet. The nuance of this pattern is to convey a sense of regret or apology for doing something too much.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu-stem of verbs | Verb masu-stem + すぎる | 食べすぎる (eat too much) |
| い-adjectives | い-adjective + すぎる (drop い) | 高すぎる (too expensive) |
| な-adjectives | な-adjective stem + すぎる | 静かすぎる (too quiet) |
Examples
昨日、食べすぎて、お腹が痛いです。
Kinō, tabesugite, onaka ga itai desu.
I ate too much yesterday and my stomach hurts.
昨日 (yesterday), 食べすぎて (ate too much), お腹が痛い (my stomach hurts)
この服は高すぎます。
Kono fuku wa takasugimasu.
This dress is too expensive.
この服 (this dress), は (is), 高すぎます (too expensive)
コーヒーを飲みすぎました。
Kōhī o nomisugimashita.
I drank too much coffee.
コーヒーを (coffee), 飲みすぎました (drank too much)
この音は静かすぎて、寝ることができません。
Kono oto wa shizuka sugite, neru koto ga dekinai desu.
This sound is too quiet and I couldn't sleep.
この音 (this sound), は (is), 静かすぎて (too quiet), 寝ることができません (couldn't sleep)
Context
The grammar pattern 〜すぎる is used to express excess or overdoing. It can be used in formal and informal situations. This pattern is often used to describe situations where someone has done something to an extreme degree. It can be used with verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. The nuance of this pattern is to convey a sense of regret or apology for doing something too much.
Watch out
For example, highすぎる is incorrect, the correct form is 高すぎる.
For example, 食べるすぎる is incorrect, the correct form is 食べすぎる.
For example, 食べるすぎる is incorrect, the correct form is 食べすぎる.
Strategy
When using the grammar pattern 〜すぎる in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form of the verb or adjective. Also, pay attention to the nuance of the pattern and use it to convey a sense of regret or apology for doing something too much.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜すぎる used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
昨日、食べすぎて、お腹が痛いです。
Pattern used: すぎて
すぎて is the te-form connecting to the result. I ate too much, so my stomach hurts. The te-form links the cause to the effect.
この服は高すぎます。
Pattern used: 高
い-adjectives drop い before すぎる. 高すぎる means 'too expensive'. Keeping い (高いすぎる) is a common mistake.
コーヒーを飲みすぎました。
Pattern used: 飲み
Verbs use the masu-stem before すぎる. 飲みます → 飲み + すぎる = 飲みすぎる (drank too much). Dictionary form is incorrect.
Interactive
昨日、食べ______、お腹が痛いです。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.