merely, only, nothing but

Intermediate

20-25 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses that something is not as important or significant as it seems.

[Verb/Noun] + に過ぎない

それはただの冗談に過ぎない。

Sore wa tada no joudan ni suginai.

That is merely a joke.

彼はまだ子供に過ぎない。

Kare wa mada kodomo ni suginai.

He is nothing but a child.

Same as ～にすぎない (different kanji).

～というより

rather than, more like

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

Use to downplay significance.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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