Translation guide
The idea of overrating something—thinking it is better, more important, or more valuable than it really is—can be expressed in Japanese through verbs, adjectives, and set phrases. The most common and natural way is to use the verb 過大評価する (kadai hyōka suru), meaning "to overestimate" or "to overrate." Other options include 買いかぶる (kaikaburu), which implies overestimating someone's ability, and 過ぎる (sugiru) attached to adjectives, which can convey that something is "too" highly rated. This guide covers these expressions with examples and usage notes.
Expressing that someone thinks something is better, more important, or more valuable than it actually is.
He is overrating his own abilities.
I think this movie is overrated.
This verb literally means "to buy at an overvalued price," but it is commonly used to mean "to overestimate someone's ability or character." It is often used when someone has a higher opinion of a person than they deserve. It is slightly more casual than 過大評価する.
Please don't overrate me so much.
He overrates me too much.
This pattern uses the verb 評価する (to evaluate) with 高く (highly) and すぎる (too much). It literally means "to evaluate too highly" and is a more descriptive way to say "overrate." It is natural and can be used in various contexts.
People are overrating that work.
Attaching すぎる to an adjective like 良い (good) or すごい (amazing) can imply that something is overrated, but it is less direct. For example, 良すぎる means "too good," which in context can mean "overrated." This is very casual and context-dependent.
That restaurant is overrated; it's actually just average.
Specifically expressing that someone has an overly favorable opinion of a person's abilities or character.
Describing something as being overrated, often used in casual conversation.
This is the passive form of 過大評価する, meaning "is overrated." It is the most straightforward adjectival phrase.
This restaurant is overrated.
Literally "not as good as its reputation," this is a natural way to say something is overrated without using the word "overrate." It is common in everyday speech.
This means "overpraising" or "hyping too much." It is casual and often used when media or people exaggerate the value of something.
過大評価する is a formal, general term for overestimating anything. 買いかぶる is more personal and often used when someone overestimates a person's ability or character. In humble speech, 買いかぶる is preferred when deflecting a compliment.
Please don't overestimate it. (formal, general)
Please don't overrate me. (personal, humble)
There is no single Japanese word that exactly matches the casual English adjective 'overrated.' Instead, use phrases like 過大評価されている or 評判ほどではない. Avoid direct translations like オーバーレート, which is not standard Japanese.
The boss is overrating his leadership.
That movie was overrated. (lit. It wasn't as good as its reputation.)
That singer is overrated. (lit. overhyped)