可愛すぎる
kawaisugiru
The English phrase "too cute" is expressed in Japanese as 可愛すぎる (kawaisugiru).
The phrase is used to describe something that is extremely cute or adorable. Unlike the English word "too", which often implies a negative excess (such as being "too salty"), 可愛すぎる is almost always used as a positive hyperbole to mean "extremely cute".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal settings, you might use the phrase Totemo kawaii desu ne. to express that something, like a baby, is very cute. In informal or slang contexts, you can say Meccha kawaii! where meccha is a slang term meaning "really" or "super".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something "was too cute" in the past tense, change the verb ending to the past tense form 可愛すぎた. In casual speech or on social media, the final "ru" is often dropped to form 可愛すぎ, which functions as a noun-like exclamation of "too much cuteness".
How do you pronounce it?
kawaisugiru
Did you know?
- The root of the phrase, kawaii, originally meant 'pitiful' or 'deserving of pity' in ancient Japanese, before evolving into its modern meaning of 'cute'.
- Japanese has a specific sub-genre of cuteness called guro-kawaii, which blends the 'cute' with the 'grotesque' or macabre.
- While 可愛すぎる is positive, using kawaii to describe a superior or a boss in a professional setting can be seen as an insult or a lack of respect for their authority.
Examples in context
- この子猫は可愛すぎる。Kono koneko wa kawaisugiru.This kitten is too cute.
- そのぬいぐるみ、可愛すぎるよ！Sono nuigurumi, kawaisugiru yo!That stuffed animal is too cute!
- 赤ちゃんが可愛すぎる。Akachan ga kawaisugiru.The baby is too cute.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking at a photo of a baby.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、この写真を見て！Kenta, kono shashin o mite!Kenta, look at this photo!
- 健太 Kentaわあ、可愛すぎるね。Waa, kawaisugiru ne.Wow, it's too cute.
- 美咲 Misaki本当にかわいいよね。Hontō ni kawaii yo ne.It really is cute, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta天使みたいだね。Tenshi mitai da ne.It looks like an angel.
