Translation guide
The state of having too many people for the available resources or space. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the noun 人口過剰 (jinkō kajō) or the phrase 人口が多すぎる (jinkō ga ōsugiru).
overpopulation
Describing a situation where there are too many people in an area, country, or the world, leading to strain on resources.
The standard noun meaning 'overpopulation'. Used in formal and written contexts, as well as in everyday speech when discussing the concept.
Overpopulation is a serious problem.
That country is suffering from overpopulation.
A more colloquial way to say 'the population is too large'. It directly describes the state rather than using a formal noun.
This area is overpopulated.
Means 'overcrowding' or 'congestion'. Often used in compounds like 過密都市 (overcrowded city). Focuses on density rather than total numbers.
Tokyo is an overcrowded city.
A very casual way to say 'there are too many people'. Suitable for everyday conversation about crowded places.
This train is too crowded.
Referring to the worldwide problem of human overpopulation and its environmental impact.
Describing a place that is too crowded with people, such as a city, train, or event.
Means 'congestion' or 'crowding'. Commonly used for places like trains, stations, and streets. Not specifically about population, but about the state of being crowded.
The station is terribly crowded.
A casual phrase meaning 'full of people'. Used in everyday conversation.
The park was packed with people.
人口過剰 refers to a sustained condition of too many people relative to resources or space. For temporary crowding (e.g., a busy train), use 混雑 or 人が多い instead.
Means 'population explosion'. Often used in discussions about rapid population growth leading to overpopulation.
Population explosion leads to resource depletion.