Translation guide
The English word 'outgrowing' refers to the process of becoming too big or mature for something, such as clothes, habits, interests, or relationships. This guide helps learners express this concept naturally in Japanese, covering physical growth, emotional maturity, and surpassing limits.
To express that someone has grown too large for clothing or footwear.
A natural, general way to say that something no longer fits due to growth. Literally 'the size becomes not matching'.
Children quickly outgrow their clothes.
Specifically for clothing, meaning 'become unable to wear'. Implies the item is too small.
I can't wear this jacket anymore (because I've outgrown it).
Literally 'become small'. Commonly used to mean clothes have become too small for the wearer.
The shoes I bought last year have already become too small.
To express that someone has matured beyond a previous behavior, hobby, or stage of life.
Literally 'graduate'. Metaphorically used to mean moving on from something childish or outgrown. Very common and natural.
He has outgrown video games.
I want to outgrow staying up late.
Pattern: [thing]を卒業する. Use with a noun or nominalized verb to indicate what is being outgrown.
Noun form. Can be used in phrases like 〜は卒業だ (I'm done with ~).
Literally 'become an adult'. Used when outgrowing childish things as part of growing up.
Can also be used humorously or self-deprecatingly for minor habits.
I'm outgrowing convenience store sweets as of today!
To express that one has matured beyond a friendship, group, or romantic relationship.
Again, 'graduate' is used metaphorically. Common for leaving behind a group or phase of social life.
I've outgrown that group of friends.
Literally 'put distance'. Implies naturally drifting apart due to different maturity levels.
Means 'become incompatible'. Used when personalities or interests no longer match.
To express that something has become too small to contain or accommodate growth.
Means 'become cramped/narrow'. Used for rooms, houses, offices that no longer fit needs.
With the family growing, we've outgrown our current house.
Literally 'exceed capacity'. Used for storage, memory, or metaphorical capacity.
Means 'become unable to fit inside'. Casual and visual.
To express that a person or system has developed beyond a previous constraint.
Use 卒業する for metaphorical outgrowing (habits, interests, phases). Use 小さくなる or サイズが合わなくなる for physical outgrowing of clothes/shoes. 卒業する is not used for physical size.
outgrow games (correct) / games become small (incorrect)
There is no single Japanese verb that directly translates 'outgrow' in all contexts. Avoid literal translations like 成長しすぎる (grow too much) as they sound unnatural. Instead, use context-appropriate phrases.
It's about the age to outgrow children's shows.
夜の遊びはもう卒業だ。
I've outgrown partying at night.
Let's outgrow such selfishness once we become adults.
As I grew, I started to outgrow my old friends.
I've outgrown him in terms of our ways of thinking.
The data is outgrowing the server's capacity.
My books have outgrown the bookshelf.
He outgrew that failure and matured.
Grew too much and can't wear clothes → The size no longer fits