How to say "surpass" in Japanese

• 優れるすぐれるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbDescribes something being better or superior in quality, ability, or performance — a state of excellence rather than an act. For surpassing a rival or a figure, this is seldom the word you want.
  彼女かのじょは現代げんだいの最もっとも優すぐれた画家がかの一人ひとりである。↗

  She is among the best artists of today.
• 上回るうわまわるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe word for surpassing in measurable terms — profits, rates, or results that exceed a figure, target, or expectation. Also covers simply being more than, or better than, something.
  所得税しょとくぜいは控除額こうじょがくを上回うわまわるいかなる所得しょとくにもかかる。↗

  An income tax is levied on any income that exceeds deductions.
• 勝るまさるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbFits direct comparisons where one thing excels or has an edge over another in quality or merit. Think of outdoing a rival or alternative rather than simply exceeding an amount.
  睡眠すいみんは薬くすりに勝まさる。↗

  Sleep is better than medicine.
• 秀でるひいでるCommon
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbReally means to excel at something — to stand out as better than others in a particular pursuit or field. For surpassing a rival or a figure, it is only a marginal choice.
  その選手せんしゅはあらゆるスポーツに秀ひいでていた。↗

  The athlete excelled in all kinds of sports.
• 越えるこえるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers surpassing as going past something — a limit, level, or standard treated as a line to cross. It is about getting beyond a point, not about ranking things as better or worse.
  ６５歳さいを超こえるアメリカ人あめりかじんは全人口ぜんじんこうの１２．５％を構成こうせいしている。↗

  Americans who are over sixty-five make up 12.5% of the total population.

Use 「上回る」 for surpassing figures or expectations, 「勝る」 for one thing outdoing another in quality, 「優れる」 and 「秀でる」 for being superior or excelling, and 「越える」 for going beyond a level or limit.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 優れるすぐれるto be better (than)
• 上回るうわまわるto exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.)
• 勝るまさるto excel
• 秀でるひいでるto excel
• 抜きん出るぬきんでるto surpass
• 抜き出るぬきでるto surpass
• 立ち勝るたちまさるto be superior
• 右に出るみぎにでるto be superior (to)
• 上手を行くうわてをいくto have the upper hand
• 上を行くうえをいくto be better than
• 絶するぜっするto exceed (by a lot)
• 越えるこえるto exceed
• 乗り越えるのりこえるto surpass (a predecessor)
• 凌ぐしのぐto surpass
• 追い越すおいこすto surpass
• 追い抜くおいぬくto surpass
• 立ち越えるたちこえるto surpass
• すぎるto exceed
• 越すこすto surpass