InitialJ
N2minimizationlimitation

～に過ぎない (ni suginai) - Nothing but / Merely

[Noun/Verb plain form] + に過ぎない

Quick answer

[Noun/Verb plain form] + に過ぎない means "Nothing but / Merely / Only / No more than". Mastering this N2 structure builds fluency for reading and listening. Full examples and exercises are below.

Meaning

Nothing but / Merely / Only / No more than

Explanation

Downplays or minimizes the significance of something.

Examples

それは噂に過ぎない。
それはうわさにすぎない。
That's nothing but a rumor.
噂—Rumor過—Exceed
これは一つの例に過ぎません。
これはひとつのれいにすぎません。
This is merely one example.
一—One例—Example過—Exceed

Practice this grammar

[Noun/Verb plain form] + に過ぎない

Which sentence correctly uses "～に過ぎない (ni suginai) - Nothing but / Merely"?

Vocabulary from these examples

過ExceedN3例ExampleN3一One噂Rumor

Last updated Jul 4, 2026