Translation guide
The English verb 'spill' covers accidentally causing liquid or small items to fall out of a container, as well as figurative uses like revealing secrets or spreading out. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is spilled, how, and the context.
Express that liquid accidentally falls or is caused to fall out of a container.
The most common and general verb for accidentally spilling liquid or small solid items. Transitive; the subject is the person who spills.
I spilled my coffee.
Please don't spill water on the table.
Intransitive; used when liquid spills by itself or the focus is on the liquid spilling, not who caused it.
Water spilled from my bag.
Means to scatter or sprinkle liquid (or powder). Used for intentional spilling or scattering, not accidental.
I carelessly spilled water on the floor.
Express that small solid items (beans, coins, etc.) fall out of a container.
Reveal something that was supposed to be kept secret, often accidentally.
Literally 'leak a secret'. The most direct equivalent for spilling a secret.
I accidentally spilled the secret.
Idiom meaning 'let one's mouth slip', used when you accidentally say something you shouldn't.
To reveal or disclose a secret, often intentionally or carelessly. Casual.
Describe a crowd or many things coming out of a place in a disorganized way.
Describe how something (emotion, conflict, etc.) spreads beyond its original boundaries.
こぼす is transitive (someone spills something). こぼれる is intransitive (something spills). Use こぼす when you want to say who did it, and こぼれる when the focus is on the liquid itself or the accident.
I spilled the milk.
The milk spilled.
こぼす is for liquids and small granular items. For dropping or knocking over large solid objects, use 落とす (drop) or 倒す (knock over).
I spilled coffee on my shirt.
Don't spill the beans!
The crowd spilled into the street.
I spilled the contents of my bag.
I spilled the beans about the surprise party.
He spilled the secret.
Fans spilled into the stadium.
彼女の喜びがあふれ出ていた。
Her joy spilled over.