How to Say ‘Don’t overdo it.’ in Japanese
むりをしないで
muri o shi nai de
[muri o shi nai de]
💬 Usage Tip: [むりをしないで] means “don’t push yourself too hard.” In a massage context, it can sound a little unusual if said by a client to a therapist.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase is very common in Japanese daily life for health, work, and rest. It is like a cultural hug in words.
Phrase Breakdown
むり
muri
[muri]
strain; overdo it; impossible thing
Here むり means overexertion or pushing too hard.
むりをしないで休んでください。
Please don't overdo it; please rest.
を
o
[o]
object marker
Particle marking むり as the object of the verb する.
むりをしないでください。
Please don't overdo it.
し
shi
[shi]
do
Verb stem of する, used here in the expression むりをする, to overdo it.
むりをしないでください。
Please don't overdo it.
ない
nai
[nai]
not
Negative ending showing not do.
むりをしないでね。
Don't overdo it, okay.
で
de
[de]
and; in this pattern, don't
In ないで, it helps create a negative request.
むりをしないで休みましょう。
Let's not overdo it and take a rest.
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