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).
人口過剰
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.
人口過剰は深刻な問題です。
Overpopulation is a serious problem.
その国は人口過剰に悩んでいる。
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.
この地域は人口が多すぎる。
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.
東京は過密都市だ。
Tokyo is an overcrowded city.
A very casual way to say 'there are too many people'. Suitable for everyday conversation about crowded places.
この電車は人が多すぎる。
This train is too crowded.
Referring to the worldwide problem of human overpopulation and its environmental impact.
Literally 'world overpopulation'. Used when discussing the global scale of the issue.
世界の人口過剰が環境に与える影響は大きい。
The impact of global overpopulation on the environment is significant.
Means 'population explosion'. Often used in discussions about rapid population growth leading to overpopulation.
人口爆発は資源の枯渇を招く。
Population explosion leads to resource depletion.
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.
駅の混雑がひどい。
The station is terribly crowded.
A casual phrase meaning 'full of people'. Used in everyday conversation.
公園は人でいっぱいだった。
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.