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N2

にすぎない

No more than, Just, Merely

私わたしはお金かねが欲ほしかったから、あなたを助たすけたにすぎない。

I helped you just because I wanted money.

Explanation

「にすぎない」 means 'is no more than / is merely'. It says something is only at this low level and goes no further: low status, small amount, limited value. It is often used to push back on overpraise: 「それは単なる噂にすぎない」 (That is merely a rumor). It often goes with 「単に」 or 「ただ」: 「単に〜にすぎない」. 「だけ」 can be added before it.

Mixed up with

「にすぎない」: low degree, nothing beyond; stresses limited amount or value: 「彼はまだ子供にすぎない」 (He is still just a child).

「でしかない」: declares 'it is this and nothing else'; more subjective and sharper.

「にほかならない」: the opposite, the strongest affirmation: 'it is none other than...'.

Examples

  1. この納豆なっとうはただくさいだけにすぎない。

    This natto just smells.

  2. 北枕きたまくらがよくないというのは、迷信めいしんにすぎない。

    It is said that laying down with one's head to the north is bad for you. That is no more than superstition.

  3. 君きみは学生がくせいにすぎない。

    You are nothing more than a student.

Tested 3 times in past papers

N1 · Jul 2021, Q34N2 · Dec 2013, Q39N2 · Jul 2010, Q42