Translation guide
The prefix 'over-' in English can express excess, superiority, covering, or crossing. Japanese uses various prefixes, adverbs, and compound verbs depending on the nuance.
Expressing that something is done too much or exceeds a normal limit.
Prefix attached to nouns or verb stems to indicate excess. Common in formal and written contexts.
過労で倒れた。
I collapsed from overwork.
過剰な包装は避けるべきだ。
Excessive packaging should be avoided.
Adverb meaning 'too much' or 'excessively'. Used before adjectives or verbs.
あまりにも高すぎる。
It's overpriced. (too expensive)
Attached to verb stems or adjectives to mean 'too much' or 'over-'. Very common in casual speech.
食べすぎた。
I overate.
このスープは塩辛すぎる。
This soup is over-salted.
Loanword from English 'over', used in compounds like オーバーワーク (overwork) or オーバーする (to exceed).
予算をオーバーした。
We went over budget.
Indicating physical position above or covering something.
Prefix meaning 'upper' or 'over'. Used in words like 上着 (overcoat) or 上書き (overwrite).
上着を着てください。
Please put on an overcoat.
Verb meaning 'to cover' or 'to overlie'. Can be used for physical covering.
雪が地面を覆った。
Snow covered the ground.
Expressing movement across a boundary or beyond a point.
Expressing dominance, supervision, or higher rank.
Prefix meaning 'upper' or 'superior'. Used in words like 上司 (boss, superior) or 上回る (to exceed).
上司に報告する。
Report to one's superior.
Verb meaning 'to dominate' or 'to control'. Used for overarching control.
彼はチームを支配している。
He dominates the team.
English 'over-' cannot always be directly translated. For example, 'overthink' is 考えすぎる (think too much), not a direct prefix. Use context-appropriate expressions.
過 (か) is a formal prefix often used in written language or compounds, while すぎる is a casual verb suffix used in everyday speech. 過労 (overwork) is a noun, while 働きすぎる (to overwork) is a verb phrase.
柵を飛び越えた。
He jumped over the fence.