过度 (guò dù) means 'excessive' or 'overly' and functions primarily as an adjective or adverb in Chinese. Literally, 过 (guò) means 'to pass' or 'beyond', and 度 (dù) means 'degree' or 'measure'; together, they convey the idea of going beyond a reasonable or healthy limit. It often carries a negative connotation, implying imbalance, harm, or risk—especially in contexts involving health, behavior, or effort.

This word commonly modifies verbs (e.g., 过度工作 — 'to overwork'), adjectives (e.g., 过度紧张 — 'overly anxious'), or nouns (e.g., 过度消费 — 'excessive consumption'). It frequently appears in public health messaging, lifestyle advice, and medical discussions. Unlike standalone adverbs like 很 or 非常, 过度 emphasizes crossing a threshold into harmful or unsustainable territory—not just intensity, but inappropriate excess.