Translation guide
The English word 'outgrowing' refers to the process of becoming too big or mature for something, such as clothes, habits, interests, or relationships. This guide helps learners express this concept naturally in Japanese, covering physical growth, emotional maturity, and surpassing limits.
To express that someone has grown too large for clothing or footwear.
A natural, general way to say that something no longer fits due to growth. Literally 'the size becomes not matching'.
子供がすぐに服のサイズが合わなくなる。
Children quickly outgrow their clothes.
Specifically for clothing, meaning 'become unable to wear'. Implies the item is too small.
このジャケット、もう着られなくなった。
I can't wear this jacket anymore (because I've outgrown it).
Literally 'become small'. Commonly used to mean clothes have become too small for the wearer.
去年買った靴がもう小さくなった。
The shoes I bought last year have already become too small.
To express that someone has matured beyond a previous behavior, hobby, or stage of life.
Literally 'graduate'. Metaphorically used to mean moving on from something childish or outgrown. Very common and natural.
彼はもうゲームを卒業した。
He has outgrown video games.
そろそろ夜更かしを卒業したい。
I want to outgrow staying up late.
Pattern: [thing]を卒業する. Use with a noun or nominalized verb to indicate what is being outgrown.
子供向けの番組を卒業する年頃だ。
It's about the age to outgrow children's shows.
Noun form. Can be used in phrases like 〜は卒業だ (I'm done with ~).
Literally 'become an adult'. Used when outgrowing childish things as part of growing up.
そんなわがままは、もう大人になったら卒業しよう。
Let's outgrow such selfishness once we become adults.
Can also be used humorously or self-deprecatingly for minor habits.
コンビニスイーツは今日で卒業します！
I'm outgrowing convenience store sweets as of today!
To express that one has matured beyond a friendship, group, or romantic relationship.
Again, 'graduate' is used metaphorically. Common for leaving behind a group or phase of social life.
あのグループはもう卒業した。
I've outgrown that group of friends.
Literally 'put distance'. Implies naturally drifting apart due to different maturity levels.
成長するにつれて、昔の友達とは距離を置くようになった。
As I grew, I started to outgrow my old friends.
Means 'become incompatible'. Used when personalities or interests no longer match.
彼とは考え方が合わなくなった。
I've outgrown him in terms of our ways of thinking.
To express that something has become too small to contain or accommodate growth.
Means 'become cramped/narrow'. Used for rooms, houses, offices that no longer fit needs.
家族が増えて、今の家が手狭になった。
With the family growing, we've outgrown our current house.
Literally 'exceed capacity'. Used for storage, memory, or metaphorical capacity.
データが増えてサーバーの容量を超えそうだ。
The data is outgrowing the server's capacity.
Means 'become unable to fit inside'. Casual and visual.
本が増えて本棚に入りきらなくなった。
My books have outgrown the bookshelf.
To express that a person or system has developed beyond a previous constraint.
Means 'overcome'. Used when outgrowing a weakness, fear, or challenge.
彼は人見知りを克服した。
He outgrew his shyness.
Means 'get over, surmount'. Similar to overcome, but often implies a process.
その失敗を乗り越えて、彼は成長した。
He outgrew that failure and matured.
Use 卒業する for metaphorical outgrowing (habits, interests, phases). Use 小さくなる or サイズが合わなくなる for physical outgrowing of clothes/shoes. 卒業する is not used for physical size.
ゲームを卒業する (○) / ゲームが小さくなる (✕)
outgrow games (correct) / games become small (incorrect)
There is no single Japanese verb that directly translates 'outgrow' in all contexts. Avoid literal translations like 成長しすぎる (grow too much) as they sound unnatural. Instead, use context-appropriate phrases.
成長しすぎて服が着られない → サイズが合わなくなった
Grew too much and can't wear clothes → The size no longer fits
夜の遊びはもう卒業だ。
I've outgrown partying at night.