Translation guide
The English word 'overflowing' describes something that is so full that its contents spill over the edges, or a feeling that is too strong to contain. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
Describing a container that is so full that its contents flow over the edge.
The most common and versatile verb for 'overflow'. Can be used for liquids, objects, and abstract things like emotions.
コップから水が溢れた。
Water overflowed from the cup.
大雨で川が溢れた。
The river overflowed due to heavy rain.
Emphasizes the action of flowing out and spilling over. Often used for liquids or things pouring out.
バケツから水が溢れ出た。
Water overflowed from the bucket.
Often used for small amounts spilling or scattering, like grains or tears. Can also mean 'to spill' intransitively.
涙がこぼれた。
Tears overflowed (spilled).
米が袋からこぼれた。
Rice overflowed from the bag.
Expressing that a feeling is so intense it seems to overflow.
Used metaphorically for emotions that well up and overflow. Very common.
喜びが溢れる。
Joy overflows.
彼女の目には感謝の気持ちが溢れていた。
Her eyes were overflowing with gratitude.
Emphasizes emotions bursting out uncontrollably.
感情が溢れ出て止まらなかった。
Emotions overflowed and wouldn't stop.
Describes a feeling welling up from inside, often to the point of tears. Not exactly 'overflowing' but closely related.
Describing a space that is so full that people or things seem to spill out.
A set phrase meaning 'to the point of overflowing'. Used for crowds, abundance, etc.
会場は溢れんばかりの人だった。
The venue was overflowing with people.
Can be used directly for places overflowing with people or things.
通りは観光客で溢れていた。
The street was overflowing with tourists.
Means 'to be crowded/jammed' but implies a chaotic overflow of people. More colloquial.
Describing an overflowing amount of qualities, ideas, or abstract things.
Means 'so much that it overflows', used for abundance.
彼は溢れるほどの才能を持っている。
He has overflowing talent.
A compound verb meaning 'to be brimming over', often used for positive qualities like energy or charm.
彼女は魅力に満ち溢れている。
She is overflowing with charm.
溢れる (あふれる) is used when something exceeds the capacity of its container and flows over the edge. こぼれる is used when something spills or scatters, often accidentally, and not necessarily because the container is full. For example, 水が溢れる means water overflows from a full glass, while 水がこぼれる means water spills (maybe you knocked the glass).
While 'overflowing with' can often be translated as 〜で溢れる, it may sound unnatural if used too directly. For emotions, 〜でいっぱいだ (full of) is sometimes more natural. For example, 'overflowing with joy' can be 喜びでいっぱいだ rather than 喜びで溢れる, though both are possible.
悲しみが込み上げてきた。
Sadness welled up (overflowed) inside me.
駅は通勤客でごった返していた。
The station was overflowing with commuters.