Explanation

Used to express that something is nothing more than or just a certain state or thing. It implies a limitation or negation of expectation.

Personalized Lesson For You!

Key Formation

• Noun/な-adj + に過ぎない

  ただの噂に過ぎない (Just a rumor)

• Verb + に過ぎない

  ごまかしに過ぎない (Nothing more than deception)

Example Sentences

• それはただの噂に過ぎない。

  It's just a rumor.

  それはただのうわさにすぎない。

  Sore wa tada no uwasa ni suginai.

  Pronunciation

• この問題はただの誤解に過ぎません。

  This issue is nothing more than a misunderstanding.

  このもんだいはただのごかいにすぎません。

  Kono mondai wa tada no gokai ni suginai.

  Pronunciation

• 彼の行動は子供のいたずらに過ぎない。 (Inspired by a Japanese idiom)

  His behavior is nothing more than child's play.

  かれのこうどうはこどものいたずらにすぎない。

  Kare no koudou wa kodomo no itazura ni suginai.

  Pronunciation

• 彼女の言葉はただの嘘に過ぎない。

  Her words are nothing but lies.

  かのじょのことばはただのうそにすぎない。

  Kanojo no kotoba wa tada no uso ni suginai.

  Pronunciation

• 彼の能力は普通に過ぎない。

  His ability is average at best.

  かれののうりょくはふつうにすぎない。

  Kare no nouryoku wa futsuu ni suginai.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• だけ (dake) - (N5 - N2)
  - Both に過ぎない (ni suginai) and だけ (dake) are used to express limitations or exclusiveness. However, に過ぎない (ni suginai) emphasizes that something is nothing more than a certain state or thing, while だけ (dake) implies that something is limited to a certain extent.
• 限り (kagiri) - (N3 - N2)
  - Both に過ぎない (ni suginai) and 限り (kagiri) are used to express limitations or boundaries. However, に過ぎない (ni suginai) emphasizes that something is nothing more than a certain state or thing, while 限り (kagiri) indicates a boundary or restriction.
• ほど (hodo) - (N4 - N2)
  - Both に過ぎない (ni suginai) and ほど (hodo) indicate a degree or extent. However, に過ぎない (ni suginai) emphasizes that something is nothing more than a certain state or thing, while ほど (hodo) compares the relative degree of two things.
• ならでは (naradeha) - (N2)
  - に過ぎない (ni suginai) expresses a limitation or negation of expectation, while ならでは (naradeha) emphasizes the uniqueness or characteristic of a certain thing or person.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 噂 (うわさ)rumorPronunciation
• * 問題 (もんだい)issue, problemPronunciation
• * 誤解 (ごかい)misunderstandingPronunciation
• * 行動 (こうどう)behavior, actionPronunciation
• * 子供 (こども)childPronunciation
• * いたずら (いたずら)prank, mischiefPronunciation
• * 言葉 (ことば)word, languagePronunciation
• * 嘘 (うそ)liePronunciation
• * 能力 (のうりょく)ability, capabilityPronunciation
• * 普通 (ふつう)normal, averagePronunciation

Quiz

Which sentence means 'This issue is nothing more than a misunderstanding'?

• これはただの嘘に過ぎません。
• この問題はただの誤解に過ぎません。
• 彼女の言葉はただの噂に過ぎません。