Japanese word

過剰

Pronunciation

Romajikajō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveexcessive

Example

その包装は過剰です。so no hō sō wa ka jō de su

That packaging is excessive.

Illustration for 過剰 (excessive)

More examples

彼の心配は過剰でした。kare no shin pai wa ka jō de shi ta

His concern was excessive.

Core concept

Marks something as surpassing the level considered necessary or appropriate.

Common phrases

  • 過剰な反応ka jō na han nō

    excessive reaction

  • 過剰な期待ka jō na ki tai

    excessive expectations

  • 過剰に反応するka jō ni han nō su ru

    overreact

Similar words

過度kado: Goes beyond a suitable degree or limit.
過多kata: Exists in a quantity greater than is needed or suitable.
過大kadai: Is greater in size, amount, or importance than is reasonable.
余分yobun: Is more than is needed or required.

Definition in Japanese

適当な限度を越えて多くなっているさま。teki tō na gen do o ko e te ō ku na tte i ru sa ma

Word origin

The word 過剰 (kajō) joins 過 (ka, "exceed") with 剰 (jō, "surplus"), forming a term for something present beyond the needed amount.

Usage tips

  • Excessive often carries a critical tone, as in excessive packaging, because it suggests more than is appropriate rather than merely a large amount.

Other meanings

  • excessnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 過剰さkajōsaexcessivenessnoun

Word lists with this word