Translation guide
How to express that someone has exceeded acceptable limits in speech or action, from mild overstepping to serious transgression.
To say someone has done or said more than is appropriate, often in a social or casual context.
Common and versatile. Can be used for actions, jokes, reactions, etc. Often used as a noun or with する.
それはちょっとやりすぎだよ。
That's a bit too much.
彼の冗談はいつもやりすぎだ。
His jokes always go too far.
Literally 'exceed the limit'. Slightly more formal than やりすぎ. Used for behavior that crosses a line.
彼の行動は度を越している。
His behavior is going too far.
Verb meaning 'to go too far'. Can be used for actions, policies, or statements.
彼の発言は行き過ぎだ。
His remarks went too far.
To express that someone has done something unacceptable, often with a sense of outrage or strong disapproval.
Also works here, but tone depends on context. Can be strong.
あの罰はやりすぎだ。
That punishment went too far.
Stronger than やりすぎ in formal contexts. Implies a clear violation of norms.
彼の批判は度を越している。
His criticism has gone too far.
Literally 'cross a line'. Used for serious transgressions, often in relationships or ethics.
彼は一線を越えてしまった。
He crossed the line.
To say someone has physically gone past a point or destination.
Used for physically going past a place. Often in the form 行き過ぎた.
駅を行き過ぎてしまった。
I went past the station.
やりすぎ is casual and common in everyday speech. 度を越す is more formal and often used in written or serious contexts. Both can mean 'going too far', but 度を越す carries a stronger sense of violating a standard.
彼の冗談はやりすぎだ。
His jokes go too far. (casual)
彼の冗談は度を越している。
His jokes exceed acceptable limits. (more formal)
Do not translate 'going too far' literally as 遠すぎる (too far in distance) unless you mean physical distance. For abstract overstepping, use the expressions above.
Emphasizes passing through or by something without stopping.
曲がり角を通り過ぎた。
I went past the turning.