有能すぎ

• Reading: ゆうのうすぎ
• Romaji: yūnō sugi
• Kanji breakdown: 有 (have) + 能 (ability) + すぎ (too much) → too capable/competent
• Pronunciation: /jū.nō.su.gi/

Meaning

Too competent — someone who is impressively capable, often said with playful exasperation.

Combines 有能 (competent/capable) with すぎ (too much). Used when someone demonstrates such impressive efficiency or skill that it feels almost unfair. Common in workplace contexts (usually about peers, not superiors), fan culture, and social media. The すぎ adds a sense of being overwhelmed by someone's competence.

Examples

1. このアプリ作った人有能すぎない？ Whoever made this app is way too competent, right?
2. 有能すぎてもう一人じゃ足りない。 You're so competent that one of you isn't enough.
3. 彼の段取り有能すぎでしょ。 His planning skills are just too competent.

Usage Guide

Context: social media, friends, workplace (casual), gaming

Tone: impressed, playfully exasperated

Do Say

• 一人で全部やったの？有能すぎ。 (You did all of this by yourself? Way too competent.)
• 有能すぎて頼りっぱなしだわ。 (You're so capable I keep relying on you.)

Don't Say

• 上司に「有能すぎ」は評価しているように聞こえる (Telling your boss 'yūnō sugi' sounds like you're rating them)

Common Mistakes

• Using 有能すぎ about a superior — it implies you are judging their competence from above

Origin & History

From 有能 (competent/capable) + すぎ (too much, from すぎる). Part of the すぎ intensifier trend in casual Japanese. 有能 itself gained internet slang currency on 2chan and Twitter/X in the 2010s as a concise way to praise someone's competence.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s internet and social media culture

Generation: Teens to 30s primarily

Social background: Internet culture, workplace casual

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. 有能 gained slang traction on 2chan and Twitter/X as a concise competence compliment.