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.
コーヒーをこぼしてしまった。
I spilled my coffee.
テーブルに水をこぼさないでください。
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.
カバンから水がこぼれた。
Water spilled from my bag.
Means to scatter or sprinkle liquid (or powder). Used for intentional spilling or scattering, not accidental.
うっかりして床に水をまいてしまった。
I carelessly spilled water on the floor.
Express that small solid items (beans, coins, etc.) fall out of a container.
Also used for small solid items like rice, beans, or coins.
お米をこぼしてしまった。
I spilled the rice.
To spill or dump something out forcefully or carelessly, often making a mess. Can be used for liquids or solids.
Reveal something that was supposed to be kept secret, often accidentally.
Literally 'leak a secret'. The most direct equivalent for spilling a secret.
うっかり秘密を漏らしてしまった。
I accidentally spilled the secret.
Idiom meaning 'let one's mouth slip', used when you accidentally say something you shouldn't.
つい口を滑らせて、サプライズのことを話してしまった。
I spilled the beans about the surprise party.
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.
To overflow or spill out, used for people or things emerging in large quantities.
コンサートが終わると、人々が会場からあふれ出た。
When the concert ended, people spilled out of the venue.
To surge or spill into a place like an avalanche. Emphasizes forceful, sudden movement.
Describe how something (emotion, conflict, etc.) spreads beyond its original boundaries.
To spread or have repercussions; used for effects spilling over into other areas.
その問題は他の分野にも波及した。
The problem spilled over into other areas.
Can also be used for emotions overflowing or spilling out.
彼女の喜びがあふれ出ていた。
Her joy spilled over.
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.
私が牛乳をこぼした。
I spilled the milk.
牛乳がこぼれた。
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).
シャツにコーヒーをこぼした。
I spilled coffee on my shirt.
秘密を漏らすな！
Don't spill the beans!
群衆が通りにあふれ出た。
The crowd spilled into the street.
バッグの中身をぶちまけてしまった。
I spilled the contents of my bag.
He spilled the secret.
ファンがスタジアムになだれ込んだ。
Fans spilled into the stadium.