Translation guide
The English verb 'overdo' means to do something too much, to an excessive degree, or in an exaggerated way. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent. Instead, learners should use patterns that express excessiveness, such as attaching すぎる to verb stems, using adverbs like あまりにも, or choosing specific verbs like やりすぎる. The best choice depends on whether you are talking about overworking, overeating, exaggerating, or overdoing an action in general.
Expressing that someone does a specific action excessively, such as working, eating, or exercising too much.
Attach すぎる to the stem of a verb to mean 'do too much of V'. This is the most common and natural way to express overdoing an action. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
運動しすぎて足が痛い。
I overdid the exercise and my legs hurt.
A specific verb meaning 'to overdo' or 'to go too far' with an action. It is often used when the action is implied or general. More colloquial than すぎる alone.
ちょっとやりすぎたかも。
I might have overdone it a bit.
彼はいつもやりすぎる。
He always overdoes things.
Use あまりにも before a verb to emphasize that the action is done too much. It often pairs with すぎる or a negative consequence. Slightly more emphatic and can sound a bit dramatic.
あまりにも食べすぎて気持ち悪い。
I ate way too much and feel sick.
Saying that someone exaggerates a story, reaction, or description.
Literally 'to say in an exaggerated way'. This is the most direct way to say someone is overdoing a description or reaction. 大げさ can also be used as an adjective.
彼はいつも大げさに言う。
He always exaggerates.
その話は大げさだよ。
That story is exaggerated.
A more formal word for 'exaggerate'. Often used in writing or serious contexts.
彼は自分の業績を誇張した。
He exaggerated his achievements.
A casual, slangy expression meaning 'to embellish a story' or 'to make a story more interesting than it really is'. Common in informal conversation.
それ、ちょっと盛ってない？
Aren't you exaggerating a bit?
Describing when someone tries too hard in a performance, speech, or task, often resulting in an unnatural or forced outcome.
From 力む (to strain), this means to put in too much effort, often making the result stiff or unnatural. Commonly used in sports, arts, or public speaking.
スピーチで力みすぎて、うまく話せなかった。
I overdid it in the speech and couldn't speak well.
A phrase meaning 'has a feeling of being overdone'. Used to critique performances, designs, or efforts that seem excessive.
その演技はちょっとやりすぎ感があるね。
That performance feels a bit overdone, doesn't it?
Specifically referring to cooking something too long or processing something too much.
The same pattern applies to cooking verbs. For example, 焼きすぎる (overcook by grilling), 煮すぎる (overboil), 炒めすぎる (overstir-fry).
肉を焼きすぎて硬くなった。
I overcooked the meat and it became tough.
パスタをゆですぎないで。
Don't overcook the pasta.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'overdo'. Using やりすぎる is close, but it may not fit all contexts. For specific actions, always prefer V-stem + すぎる.
すぎる is a suffix that directly modifies the verb, while あまりにも is an adverb that emphasizes the excess. They are often used together for stronger emphasis, but あまりにも alone does not mean 'overdo'; it must be paired with a verb or adjective.
あまりにも早く着きすぎた。
I arrived way too early.