過当|かとうkatou[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, nounexcessive; exorbitant

• Synonym過度かどNeutralThe broadest word for 'excessive', as in 「過度な期待」; unlike the written-style 「過当」, it fits everyday use and is not tied to 「過当競争」.
• Synonym過剰かじょうNeutralMeans surplus: quantity or degree beyond what is needed, as in 「過剰包装」. It centers on amounts exceeding requirements, while 「過当」 is a written-style word for excess.
• Synonym過大かだいNeutralMeans 'too large', chiefly evaluations or demands set too high, as in 「過大評価」. It is about judgments being oversized, not the written-style excess of 「過当」.
• Synonym過多かたNeutralMeans 'too many/too much', centering on sheer quantity, as in 「情報過多」. It does not specifically refer to competition, unlike 「過当」 in 「過当競争」.
• Synonym過重かじゅうNeutralSpecifically about burdens being too heavy — loads, workloads, duties — as in 「過重労働」. It centers on weight of burden, while 「過当」 covers excess in general.
• Synonym甚だしいはなはだしいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Says a degree is extremely far removed — usually with a negative sense, as in 「甚だしい誤解」. It describes intensity rather than excess as such.
• Synonym過分かぶんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means excessive or more than one deserves, and can also express generous kindness, as in 「過分なお言葉」. 「過当」 lacks this appreciative use.
• Related法外ほうがいNeutralMeans beyond all reason — outrageously off the norm, as in 「法外な値段」「法外な要求」. It stresses absurd unreasonableness, where 「過当」 is a written-style excess.
• Related並み外れなみはずれNeutralMeans far above the average, applied not only to people and often with praise or amazement. It has no link to the unreasonable excess of 「過当」.
• Related無茶むちゃCasualColloquial. Refers to reckless, wild behavior — acting without judgment. 「過当」 is a written-style word for excess, not for rash conduct.
• Related無理むりNeutralA wide-ranging word for the unreasonable or impossible, including pushing oneself too hard, as in 「無理をする」. It is about impossibility or strain, not excess degree.
• Related極端きょくたんNeutralMeans 'extreme', stressing leaning to one end of a range, as in 「極端な意見」. It describes one-sidedness rather than exceeding a proper limit, which is what 「過当」 does.
• Related大げさおおげさNeutralMeans exaggerated — making things look bigger or more important than they are, as in 「大げさに言う」. It targets overstated expression, not actual excess like 「過当」.
• RelatedむちゃくちゃCasualColloquial and emphatic. Covers mess, chaos, and going overboard, with a strong tone. 「過当」 is a restrained written-style term for excess.
• Related超過ちょうかNeutralMeans exceeding a set limit, stressing going over a fixed quota or amount, as in 「定員超過」. It is about numbers passing a limit, not unreasonableness.
• RelatedとてつもないCasualColloquial. Means outrageous or off the scale, stressing an exaggerated, unbelievable degree, as in 「とてつもない量」. Far more casual than written-style 「過当」.
• Antonym正当せいとうNeutralAntonym. Means just and reasonable — proper and in accord with reason — the opposite of the excessive 「過当」.
• Antonym適正てきせいNeutralAntonym. Means appropriate and reasonable, as in 「適正価格」 — the proper degree that 「過当」 exceeds.

Use 「過当」 for exceeding reasonable limits; it leans written and appears mostly in 「過当競争」. For general excess say 「過度」, for surplus quantity 「過剰」, for overrated judgments 「過大」, and for heavy burdens 「過重」; the opposite is 「適正」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 度どをこえている状態じょうたい、様子ようす。