Translation guide
The English word "overdone" can refer to food that is cooked too much, or to actions, performances, or styles that are excessive or exaggerated. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
Describing food that has been cooked longer than desired, resulting in a dry, tough, or burnt state.
Noun meaning 'overcooking' or 'overdone', especially for grilled, baked, or fried foods. Often used with だ/です.
このステーキは焼きすぎだ。
This steak is overdone.
Noun meaning 'overboiled'. Used for pasta, vegetables, etc. that have been boiled too long.
Describing something that is too extreme, dramatic, or unnatural, such as acting, makeup, or reactions.
やりすぎ implies an action has gone too far in degree or quantity, while 大げさ implies exaggeration or dramatization. やりすぎ can be used for any overdoing, but 大げさ is specifically about making something seem bigger or more important than it is.
塩を入れすぎた。味が濃すぎる。→ やりすぎだ。
I put too much salt. The taste is too strong. → It's overdone.
彼は小さなミスを「大失敗だ！」と言った。→ 大げさだ。
He called a small mistake 'a huge failure!' → That's overdone (exaggerated).
The pasta is overdone and too soft.
Phrase meaning 'the heat has gone through too much', i.e., overcooked. More general than 焼きすぎ.
魚に火が通りすぎてパサパサになった。
The fish was overdone and became dry.
Verb meaning 'to overcook (by grilling/baking/frying)'. Less common as a descriptor than the noun form.
肉を焼き過ぎないように注意して。
Be careful not to overdo the meat.
Na-adjective meaning 'exaggerated', 'overdone', 'grandiose'. Commonly used for reactions, acting, or descriptions.
彼のリアクションはいつも大げさだ。
His reactions are always overdone.
その演技は大げさすぎて笑ってしまった。
The acting was so overdone that I laughed.
Noun meaning 'overdoing', 'going too far'. Very common in casual speech. Can be used for actions, makeup, jokes, etc.
そのメイクはちょっとやりすぎだよ。
That makeup is a bit overdone.
彼の冗談はいつもやりすぎだ。
His jokes are always overdone.
Noun/na-adjective meaning 'excessive', 'surplus'. More formal than やりすぎ. Used for things like decoration, reaction, or quantity.
装飾が過剰で落ち着かない部屋だ。
It's a room with overdone decoration, making it uncomfortable.
I-adjective meaning 'overly elaborate', 'heavy', 'repetitive'. Often used for flavors, colors, or speech that is overdone and tiresome.
このソースは味がくどい。
This sauce has an overdone flavor.
彼の説明はくどくて疲れる。
His explanations are overdone and tiring.
I-adjective meaning 'contrived', 'unnatural', 'forced'. Used when an action or expression seems overdone and insincere.
彼女の笑顔はわざとらしかった。
Her smile was overdone and fake.
Do not translate 'overdone' directly as オーバードン or 過ぎた. These are not natural Japanese. Use the context-appropriate words above.
この肉は焼きすぎだ。
This meat is overdone.
Do not translate 'overdone' directly as オーバードン or 過ぎた. These are not natural Japanese. Use the context-appropriate words above.
この肉は焼きすぎだ。
This meat is overdone.