How to say "overtake" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 追い越すおいこすgodan verb, transitive verbThe default verb for overtaking on the road: one car moves out and goes past another. Also used for edging ahead of people, as in a race or a queue.
- 追い抜くおいぬくgodan verb, transitive verbA close partner of 追い越す for traffic: a car pulls out and passes the one ahead. Either verb is fine for most road overtaking.
- 抜き去るぬきさるgodan verb, transitive verbOvertaking with the emphasis on pulling away: you surge past and leave the other far behind. Often figurative, as when a company or athlete leaves its rivals behind.
- 抜かすぬかすgodan verb, transitive verbAnother way to say a car or runner passes another, close to 追い越す. It can also mean to leave something out or skip it, so rely on context.
- 駆け抜けるかけぬけるichidan verb, intransitive verbOvertaking by running: a runner bursts from behind and dashes past someone, as in a race. It is not the verb to use for cars on the road; reach for 追い越す there.
Use 「追い越す」 or 「追い抜く」 for one vehicle passing another, 「抜かす」 for a car or runner getting past, 「抜き去る」 for leaving someone far behind, and 「駆け抜ける」 only for dashing past on foot.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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