圧倒された
attō sareta
The English phrase "overwhelmed" is translated into Japanese as 圧倒された (attō sareta).
圧倒された is used to describe being defeated or crushed by a superior force or a powerful emotion. This applies to physical or numerical superiority, such as being overwhelmed by an opponent, as well as emotional intensity, such as being overwhelmed by beauty.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the noun 圧倒, which refers to an overwhelming force or overwhelming pressure.
How does it change in a sentence?
圧倒された is the past tense of the passive verb 圧倒される, which means "to be overwhelmed".
How do you pronounce it?
attō sareta
When do people say it?
In slang, the expression やばい can be used to convey a sense of urgency or being overwhelmed.
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term キャパオーバー 'capa-over', derived from 'capacity over', to describe being mentally overwhelmed by too many tasks.
- The slang term やばい (yabai), mentioned as a way to express being overwhelmed, originally had a negative connotation meaning 'dangerous' or 'bad'.
- While 圧倒された is common for forces, if you are overwhelmed by a massive amount of work, Japanese speakers often use 手一杯 (teippai), which literally means 'one's hands are full'.
Examples in context
- トムは圧倒されたようだった。Tom seemed overwhelmed.Tatoeba #10910988 by SomeHungryBois, translation #10527504 by CK
- 大変（たいへん）な仕事（しごと）です。It is an overwhelming job.
- 圧倒的（あっとうてき）な量（りょう）の仕事（しごと）に圧倒（あっとう）されています。I am overwhelmed by the overwhelming amount of work.
- 今日（きょう）の予定（よてい）、やばいよ！Today's schedule is overwhelming!
- やばい！勉強（べんきょう）が溜（た）まってる！Oh no! The studying has piled up!
- 最後（さいご）の試験（しけん）でくたくたになった。I became overwhelmed/exhausted after the final exam.
- 仕事（しごと）に参（まい）っています。I am overwhelmed by work.
- あまりの悲しみに圧倒された。Amari no kanashimi ni attousareta.I was overwhelmed by the intense sadness.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about a professional sports game they watched.
- 健太 Kentaあの選手のオーラに圧倒されたよ。Ano senshu no ōra ni attō sareta yo.I was overwhelmed by that athlete's aura.
- 美咲 Misaki本当にすごかったね。Hontō ni sugokatta ne.He really was amazing, wasn't he?
- 健太 Kenta全く勝ち目がなかったと思う。Mattaku kachime ga nakatta to omou.I don't think there was any chance of winning.
- 美咲 Misaki同感。圧倒的な強さだったね。Dōkan. Attōteki na tsuyosa datta ne.I agree. He had overwhelming strength.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
