How to Say ‘Are you overworking?’ in Japanese
あまり無理していませんか。
amari muri shi te i mase n ka
[ah-mah-ree moo-ree shee teh ee mah-seh n kah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is caring and fairly gentle, so it works well with older relatives if you're checking on their workload or health. It can sound more thoughtful than a direct question like "Are you tired?"
Phrase Breakdown
あまり
amari
[ah-mah-ree]
too much; not very
With a negative form, あまり often means 'too much' in worried questions like this.
あまり無理していませんかと聞かれました。
I was asked, 'Aren't you overdoing it?'
無理していませんか
muri shi te i mase n ka
Words in this phrase
無理
muri
[moo-ree]
overdoing it; pushing oneself too hard
Refers to exceeding your limits physically or mentally.
最近は無理をしないようにしています。
Recently, I try not to push myself too hard.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Stem of する in the expression しています.
毎日少し運動しています。
I exercise a little every day.
て
te
[teh]
and; -te form
Links the verb to います.
遅くまで働いて、疲れました。
I worked until late and got tired.
い
i
[ee]
to be; ongoing state
Part of the continuous/habitual pattern ている.
忙しい日が続いているようです。
It seems busy days have been continuing.
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite negative stem
Part of ません, the polite negative ending.
今日は夜更かししません。
I won't stay up late today.
ん
n
[n]
not
Finishes the negative ending ません.
無理はしません。
I won't overdo it.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Makes the sentence a question.
少し休みませんか。
Would you like to rest a little?
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