Translation guide
The English word 'overwork' can refer to working too much, working oneself to exhaustion, or the negative health effects of excessive work. In Japanese, different words and phrases capture these nuances, from general overwork to the serious phenomenon of death from overwork (karōshi).
To express that someone works too many hours or too hard, in a general sense.
The most direct and common way to say 'to overwork' as a verb. It literally means 'to work too much'.
彼は最近働きすぎている。
He has been overworking lately.
働きすぎに注意してください。
Please be careful not to overwork.
A noun meaning 'overwork' or 'excessive labor', often used in formal or medical contexts. It implies a state of fatigue from overwork.
過労で倒れた。
I collapsed from overwork.
過労が原因で病気になった。
I got sick due to overwork.
Another common way to say 'to work too much', using the noun 仕事 (work). Slightly more casual than 働きすぎる.
仕事をしすぎて、疲れた。
I worked too much and got tired.
To refer to the serious condition of falling ill or dying due to excessive work, a recognized social issue in Japan.
Literally 'death from overwork'. A widely recognized term in Japan for sudden death caused by stress or excessive work hours.
彼の死は過労死と認定された。
His death was recognized as karōshi (death from overwork).
Suicide caused by overwork or work-related stress. A more specific and tragic outcome.
To emphasize the act of pushing oneself to the limit physically or mentally through work.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to work oneself to the bone' or 'to work tirelessly'. It conveys dedication and hard work, often to the point of exhaustion.
彼は家族のために身を粉にして働いている。
He works himself to the bone for his family.
Means 'to work non-stop' or 'to be constantly working'. It describes a state of continuous work without rest.
今週はずっと働き詰めだ。
I've been working non-stop all week.
To work intently or with great concentration, often to the point of strain. Implies mental focus and potential overexertion.
根を詰めて働きすぎると、体を壊すよ。
If you work too hard without a break, you'll ruin your health.
To describe a situation where someone is given too much work or responsibilities.
A formal term meaning 'excessive work' or 'overwork', often used in legal or labor contexts to describe unreasonable workloads.
過重労働が問題になっている。
Excessive workloads are becoming a problem.
A simple, everyday phrase meaning 'there is too much work'. It directly states the problem of being overburdened.
最近、仕事が多すぎて、休めない。
Lately, I have too much work and can't rest.
While 過労する exists, it is less common than using 働きすぎる or 過労になる. For everyday speech, prefer 働きすぎる or 仕事をしすぎる.
過労 (karō) refers to the state of fatigue from overwork, often used in health contexts. 過重労働 (kajū rōdō) refers to the excessive workload itself, often used in labor rights discussions.
過労自殺が社会問題になっている。
Suicide from overwork has become a social issue.