Translation guide
The English word 'overlap' can refer to physical objects covering each other, shared areas or time periods, or abstract commonalities. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing when one physical object lies partly on top of another, or when edges meet.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to overlap' or 'to lie on top of each other'. Used when things naturally or accidentally overlap.
紙が重なっている。
The papers are overlapping.
瓦が重なっている屋根。
A roof with overlapping tiles.
Transitive verb meaning 'to overlap' or 'to pile up'. Used when someone intentionally places one thing on top of another.
Emphasizes mutual overlapping, often used for multiple items.
葉っぱが重なり合っている。
The leaves are overlapping each other.
When two events or time periods coincide or conflict.
Intransitive verb also used for schedules. Indicates that events happen at the same time, often causing a conflict.
会議の時間が重なってしまった。
The meeting times overlapped (and it caused a problem).
試験と旅行が重なった。
The exam and the trip overlapped.
Specifically refers to schedule overlap.
来週は予定が重なっている。
My schedule is overlapping next week.
Loanword from 'batting', used informally for schedule conflicts.
その日はバッティングしちゃう。
That day overlaps (conflicts).
When ideas, categories, responsibilities, or areas share common ground.
Intransitive verb used abstractly for shared aspects or coinciding interests.
二人の意見が重なる部分が多い。
There is a lot of overlap in their opinions.
趣味が重なっている。
Our hobbies overlap.
Literally 'have common points', a natural way to express overlap in characteristics.
私たちには共通点が多い。
We have a lot of overlap (in common).
Formal term for duplication or redundancy, often used in business or technical contexts.
業務の重複を避ける。
Avoid overlap of duties.
データに重複がある。
There is overlap in the data.
Loanword from English, used in technical or trendy contexts.
この二つの分野はオーバーラップしている。
These two fields overlap.
When one thing covers part of another, like a flap or lid.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to cover' or 'to hang over', often used when something lies on top and covers part of something else.
前の髪が目にかぶさっている。
My bangs overlap my eyes.
布が箱にかぶさっている。
A cloth overlaps the box.
Transitive verb meaning 'to cover' or 'to place over'.
重なる (かさなる) is the general verb for overlap in physical, temporal, and abstract senses. 重複する (ちょうふくする) is more formal and emphasizes duplication or redundancy, often used in business or data contexts.
スケジュールが重なる。
Schedules overlap (casual).
業務が重複する。
Duties overlap (formal, redundant).
オーバーラップ is a loanword and can sound unnatural in everyday conversation. Stick to 重なる or 共通点がある unless you're in a very technical or trendy context.
蓋をかぶせる。
Put the lid on (overlapping the container).