に過ぎない details
write + is no more than
kaku ni suginai
is no more than; merely
meaning: do no more than write
彼は上司の指示に従うにすぎない。
kare wa joushi no shiji ni shitagau ni suginai.
He does no more than obey his boss's instructions. neutral
あれ、ただの噂にすぎないよ。
are, tada no uwasa ni suginai yo.
That's nothing more than a rumour. casual
- dictionary form
- noun
- past
- polite
Examples
is no more than; merely — the thing is placed at the bottom of a scale and denied anything beyond it
彼は上司の指示に従うにすぎない。
kare wa joushi no shiji ni shitagaunisuginai.
He does no more than obey his boss's instructions. neutral
あれ、ただの噂にすぎないよ。
are, tada no uwasa ni suginai yo.
That's nothing more than a rumour. casual
現時点では推測にすぎませんので、確認の上でご報告いたします。
genjiten de wa suisoku ni sugimasen node, kakunin no ue de go houkoku itashimasu.
At this point it is only conjecture, so I will confirm it and report back. formal
Formation
{V}にすぎないattaches to dictionary form{N}にすぎないattaches to noun
Related patterns
Similar
にすぎない measures on a scale and reports that the thing reaches no higher, which is why it survives in academic and legal prose; でしかない passes a verdict instead, and carries a contempt にすぎない does not.
Lookalikes
The same 過ぎる pointing opposite ways — 〜すぎる takes a stem and says the degree OVERSHOOTS what is proper (飲みすぎた), while 〜にすぎない takes a whole predicate and says it FALLS SHORT of anything more (飲んだにすぎない).