にも程がある
There is a limit to, You are too ..., How …!, How … one can be!
Structure
［い］Adjective + にも + ほどがある
［な］Adjective + にも + ほどがある
Noun + にも + ほどがある
Explanation
にも程がある is an expression used to criticize something that has gone too far or is excessive, based on the speaker's personal judgment. Common English equivalents include 'there's a limit to (A)', 'that's too (A)', or 'how (A) can you be'.
This grammar pattern is formed by combining the case-marking particle に, the adverbial particle も, the noun 程 'limit' or 'extent', and がある 'to exist'. A more direct translation, 'even for (A), there is a limit', conveys the same disapproving tone found in its common translations.
This structure can be attached to most types of words in their standard forms.
- 弟は毎日10時間もゲームをしている。ゲームのやり過ぎにも程があるだろう。My little brother plays video games for 10 hours every day. There's a limit to how much you can play.
- 「お菓子を全部食べたいから、誰にもあげない」なんて、わがままにも程があるよ。Saying 'I want to eat all the snacks, so I'm not giving any to anyone' is just... How selfish can you be?
- 締め切り前の日に「明日までに全部やれ」と言うのは、無茶にも程がある。Telling someone to 'finish everything by tomorrow' the day before the deadline... that's just too unreasonable.
- 「宿題は犬が食べました」って、そんな嘘は通じないよ。嘘にも程があるぞ。'My dog ate my homework' isn't going to work. There's a limit to the lies you can tell!
Caution
Although it's overwhelmingly used to express criticism, there are times when にも程がある can appear in a positive context, especially with words like かわいい 'cute' or すごい 'amazing'. When used this way, it's typically said in a humorous or exaggerated manner to show strong praise or surprise.
- みて、この子猫！信じられないぐらい小さいね！かわいいにも程があるよ！Look at this kitten! It's unbelievably tiny! It's just too cute for words!
Examples
またデートの約束をすっぽかしたの？人を待たせるにもほどがあるわよ！
You stood me up again? There's a limit to how long you can keep a person waiting!
みんなで使うキッチンをこんなに汚すなんて、わがままにもほどがある。
To make the kitchen we all share this dirty, there's a limit to how selfish you can be.
１週間もお風呂に入らないなんて、不潔にもほどがあるぞ！
Not bathing for a whole week? There's a limit to how filthy a person can be!
ただのラーメンが一杯３０００円もするの？高いにもほどがあるでしょう！
A simple bowl of ramen costs 3,000 yen? There's a limit to how expensive something can be!
彼の部屋はゴミ屋敷のようだ。汚いにもほどがあります。
His room is like a garbage dump. There is a limit to how messy a place can be.
助けてもらったのにお礼も言わないとは、厚かましいしいにもほどがあるというものだ。
To not even say thank you after being helped, there is a limit to how shameless a person can be.
親が子供に：「何度も言ったのにまたゲーム？言うことを聞かないにもほどがあるわよ！」
A parent to their child: 'I've told you so many times, and you're gaming again? There's a limit to how much you can disobey me!'
友達A：「彼、デート中ずっとスマホを見てたのよ。」
友達B：「うわ、それはひどい。無神経にもほどがあるね。」
Friend A: 'He was looking at his phone the entire date.'
Friend B: 'Wow, that's awful. There's a limit to how inconsiderate a person can be.'
練習もせずに試合に勝てるなんて、楽観的にもほどがある。
To think you can win the match without even practicing... there's a limit to how optimistic you can be.
締め切り前日に仕様の変更を依頼するなんて、無茶を言うにもほどがありますよ。
Requesting a change in specifications the day before the deadline... there is a limit to how unreasonable you can be.
店を出た後で：「あの店員の態度、客に対して横柄にもほどがあるよね。」
After leaving a store: 'That clerk's attitude... there's a limit to how arrogant you can be to a customer.'
アパートの隣人について：「毎晩真夜中に大声で騒ぐなんて、迷惑にもほどがある。」
About an apartment neighbor: 'Making a racket every single night in the middle of the night... there's a limit to how much of a nuisance one can be.'