过于

• Pinyin: guò yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 过 = to exceed; 于 = at/in (function word)

Meaning

Too; excessively; overly. To an excessive degree.

Adverb indicating something exceeds appropriate levels. More formal than 太. Usually implies criticism or concern about the excess.

Examples

1. 他的想法过于理想化了。 His ideas are overly idealistic.
2. 这个方案过于复杂，不太实用。 This plan is too complicated and not very practical.
3. 对孩子过于严格反而会适得其反。 Being overly strict with children can backfire.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, analysis, advice, evaluation

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 这样做过于冒险。(Doing this is too risky.)
• 他过于自信了。(He is overly confident.)

Don't Say

• 过于好吃 (过于 implies negative excess — for positive things, use 非常 or 特别)

Origin & History

Compound of 过 (to exceed) + 于 (at, in), functioning as an adverb meaning excessively.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal