「〜にすぎない」- Merely/Only

Explanation

「〜にすぎない」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express that something is "merely" or "only" a certain degree or nature, often downplaying its significance or value. It carries a tone of understatement.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + にすぎない	Noun + にすぎない	Indicates that something is merely a certain degree or nature, without higher value or significance.
Verb Plain Form + にすぎない	Verb Plain Form + にすぎない	Indicates that an action or state is merely a certain degree, without higher value or significance.
い-Adjective + にすぎない	い-Adjective + にすぎない	Indicates that a quality or state is merely a certain degree, without higher value or significance.
な-Adjective + な + にすぎない	な-Adjective + な + にすぎない	Indicates that a quality or state is merely a certain degree, without higher value or significance.

Basic Usage

Connection

• Noun + にすぎない
• Verb Plain Form + にすぎない
• い-Adjective + にすぎない
• な-Adjective + な + にすぎない

Meaning

• Expresses that something or an action is merely a certain degree or nature, without higher value or significance.

Examples

• 彼かれの成功せいこうは運うんにすぎない。
• Kare no seikou wa un ni suginai.
• His success is merely due to luck.
  

• そのその話はなしは噂うわさにすぎない。
• Sono hanashi wa uwasa ni suginai.
• That story is merely a rumor.
  

• 彼女かのじょの意見いけんは個人的こじんてきな見解けんかいにすぎない。
• Kanojo no iken wa kojinteki na kenkai ni suginai.
• Her opinion is merely a personal view.
  

• このこの問題もんだいは一時的いちじてきな現象げんしょうにすぎない。
• Kono mondai wa ichijiteki na genshou ni suginai.
• This issue is merely a temporary phenomenon.
  

Comparison and Differences

Although both 「〜にすぎない」 and 「〜だけだ」 can mean "merely" or "only," they differ in tone and usage.

Grammar Point	Tone	Usage Context
〜にすぎない	Carries a tone of understatement, emphasizing low significance	Often used in written or formal contexts
〜だけだ	Neutral tone, simply indicates limitation	Commonly used in everyday conversation

Examples:

• 彼かれは学生がくせいにすぎない。
• Kare wa gakusei ni suginai.
• He is merely a student.
  

• 彼かれは学生がくせいだけだ。
• Kare wa gakusei dake da.
• He is just a student.
  

Deep Dive

「〜にすぎない」 is primarily used to emphasize that something is of low significance or degree, often with a tone of understatement. It is typically used in written or formal contexts to express an objective and calm attitude.

Summary

「〜にすぎない」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express that something is "merely" or "only" a certain degree or nature, often downplaying its significance. Mastering this structure will help you better express your views in both everyday conversations and formal situations.