Translation guide
The English word "overflow" can refer to liquids spilling over, exceeding capacity, or an abundance of something. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these situations.
To describe a liquid spilling over the edge of a container because it is too full.
The most common and general verb for liquid overflowing. Intransitive.
コップから水が溢れた。
Water overflowed from the cup.
風呂の水が溢れそうだ。
The bathwater is about to overflow.
Often used for smaller amounts spilling or dripping over, or for solids like grains. Can imply scattering.
お茶が少し零れた。
A little tea spilled over.
Emphasizes the action of flowing out and over. More vivid.
鍋からスープが溢れ出た。
Soup overflowed from the pot.
To describe a situation where something exceeds its limit, such as a crowd, data, or emotions.
Also used metaphorically for abstract things like feelings, people, or light.
会場は人で溢れていた。
The venue was overflowing with people.
彼女の目から涙が溢れた。
Tears overflowed from her eyes.
Means 'to exceed' a limit or capacity. Often used with numbers or thresholds.
To express that someone or something is filled to the brim with a positive quality or emotion.
Pattern meaning 'to be overflowing with ~'. Used for abstract qualities like kindness, energy, creativity.
彼は自信に溢れている。
He is overflowing with confidence.
この町は活気に溢れている。
This town is overflowing with energy.
Emphasizes being completely full and overflowing, often with positive emotions.
溢れる is primarily for liquids or abstract masses. For solid objects spilling out, use 零れる (こぼれる) or 散らばる (ちらばる).
溢れる implies a continuous flow over the edge, while 零れる often suggests a small amount spilling or scattering, sometimes accidentally. 溢れる is more common for large volumes or metaphorical uses.
Data that exceeds the capacity cannot be saved.
Loanword from English, used mainly in computing for buffer overflow or stack overflow.
バッファオーバーフローが発生した。
A buffer overflow occurred.
喜びに満ち溢れた表情。
A face overflowing with joy.