遅すぎる
ososugiru
The English phrase "too slow" is expressed in Japanese as 遅すぎる (ososugiru).
遅すぎる is used to describe someone or something that is moving or acting at a speed that is not fast enough.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something was too slow in the past, change the suffix to the past tense form 遅すぎた.
How do you pronounce it?
ososugiru
Did you know?
- While 遅い means 'slow', it is also the standard word for being 'late'. This means a person arriving after the scheduled time is described with the same root word as a slow turtle.
- In Japanese pop culture and anime, the phrase 遅すぎる is often shouted as a taunt by characters who have outmaneuvered an opponent's attack.
- The suffix すぎる used in 遅すぎる is not limited to negative traits. It can be attached to positive adjectives to create expressions like 可愛すぎる for 'too cute' or 'overwhelmingly cute'.
Examples in context
- 運転、遅すぎるよ。You're driving way too slow.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is driving way too slow using 遅すぎる.Tatoeba #8684152 by bunbuku, translation #8069924 by CK
- みんな英語で返信するのが早いよね。あっ、私が遅すぎるだけかぁ。Looks like everyone can reply in English so quickly. Ah, or maybe I'm just too slow.This sentence is useful for showing a self-deprecating remark about being too slow using 遅すぎる.Tatoeba #9807100 by small_snow, translation #9807249 by DJ_Saidez
- このインターネット、遅すぎる。Kono intanetto, ososugiru.This internet is too slow.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are walking to a meeting.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太、歩くのが遅すぎるよ。Yōta, aruku no ga ososugiru yo.Yota, you're walking too slowly.
- 陽太 Yotaごめん、荷物が重いんだ。Gomen, nimotsu ga omoi nda.Sorry, my luggage is heavy.
- 美咲 Misaki急がないと遅刻するよ。Isoganai to chikoku suru yo.We'll be late if we don't hurry.
- 陽太 Yota分かった、急ぐよ。Wakatta, isogu yo.I understand, I'll hurry.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
