〜に過ぎない
ni suginai
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
nothing more than, merely, only
〜に過ぎない means "is nothing more than X": the speaker downplays something as small, unimportant, or not worth the weight others give it. それは言い訳に過ぎない = "That's just an excuse." It often pairs with ただ / ほんの / 単なる to reinforce the smallness.
Formal writing, argumentative essays, news, and careful speech. In casual conversation people say ただの〜だ or 〜だけだ. Common with percentages and numbers to stress how few (一割に過ぎない).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + に過ぎないVerb (plain form) + に過ぎない (冗談を言ったに過ぎない)い-adjective + に過ぎない (rare)な-adjective + である + に過ぎないIntensifiers: ただ / ほんの / 単なる / 単に + 〜に過ぎない
Visual diagram
- Step 1それは言い訳だthat is an excuse (neutral)
- Step 2それはただの言い訳だthat is just an excuse (casual downplaying)
- Step 3それは言い訳に過ぎないthat is nothing more than an excuse (formal downplaying)
Natural examples
それは言い訳に過ぎない。
それはいいわけにすぎない。
That is nothing but an excuse.
Downplaying: it is only an excuse, nothing more.
彼は冗談を言ったに過ぎない。
かれはじょうだんをいったにすぎない。
He merely made a joke.
A verb clause: he merely joked; do not take it seriously.
賛成した人は全体の一割に過ぎなかった。
さんせいしたひとはぜんたいのいちわりにすぎなかった。
Those in favor were no more than ten percent of the whole.
A number: no more than ten percent, stressing how few.
私はただ自分の仕事をしたに過ぎません。
わたしはただじぶんのしごとをしたにすぎません。
I merely did my job.
Modest response to praise; polite form に過ぎません.
これは私の個人的な意見に過ぎませんが、計画は見直すべきだと思います。
これはわたしのこじんてきないけんにすぎませんが、けいかくはみなおすべきだとおもいます。
This is merely my personal opinion, but I think the plan should be reconsidered.
Softening one's own view before stating it.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜だけだ
Casual "only"; no formal downplaying tone.
The opposite direction: "is nothing other than X" affirms X strongly, while に過ぎない diminishes it. Compare side by side
〜にとどまる
"Stays within (a limit)"; neutral, about extent rather than importance.
〜しかない
"Only (a small amount)"; casual; に過ぎない can also express the speaker's dismissive evaluation.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 彼は社長に過ぎない。(meaning "he is the president")
- ✓
- 彼は一社員に過ぎない。
- Why
- に過ぎない downplays; use it with something small or ordinary, not something impressive.
- ✗
- それは言い訳なに過ぎない。
- ✓
- それは言い訳に過ぎない。
- Why
- Nouns attach directly.
- ✗
- 十人が来たに過ぎない。(wanting "as many as")
- ✓
- 十人しか来なかった / たった十人が来たに過ぎない。
- Why
- It works only for stressing smallness; for a large number use 〜も.
Modesty use: 私は手伝ったに過ぎません when praised. With numbers: 全体の三割に過ぎない, 数人に過ぎない. Kanji 過ぎる here means "exceed": literally "does not exceed X".
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence has ただ / ほんの / 単なる before the noun, に過ぎない is the likely answer.
- Do not confuse with にほかならない (strong affirmation). Ask: is the speaker minimizing (に過ぎない) or emphasizing (にほかならない)?
- In 並べ替え, に過ぎない is sentence-final; the noun before it is the downplayed item.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜に過ぎない mean?
nothing more than, merely, only. 〜に過ぎない means "is nothing more than X": the speaker downplays something as small, unimportant, or not worth the weight others give it. それは言い訳に過ぎない = "That's just an excuse." It often pairs with ただ / ほんの / 単なる to reinforce the smallness.
How do you form 〜に過ぎない?
Noun + に過ぎない / Verb (plain form) + に過ぎない (冗談を言ったに過ぎない) / い-adjective + に過ぎない (rare) / な-adjective + である + に過ぎない / Intensifiers: ただ / ほんの / 単なる / 単に + 〜に過ぎない. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜に過ぎない used?
Formal writing, argumentative essays, news, and careful speech. In casual conversation people say ただの〜だ or 〜だけだ. Common with percentages and numbers to stress how few (一割に過ぎない).
What is the difference between 〜に過ぎない and 〜だけだ?
Casual "only"; no formal downplaying tone.
What is the difference between 〜に過ぎない and 〜にほかならない?
The opposite direction: "is nothing other than X" affirms X strongly, while に過ぎない diminishes it.
What is a common mistake with 〜に過ぎない?
Wrong: 彼は社長に過ぎない。(meaning "he is the president") Right: 彼は一社員に過ぎない。 に過ぎない downplays; use it with something small or ordinary, not something impressive.
Quick check
彼の説明はただの言い訳（ ）。