1.
to overtake, to pass
To catch up with and move ahead of someone or something that was in front.
前の車を追い越した。
I passed the car in front.
追い越し禁止。
No passing. / Overtaking prohibited.
[Note: Common traffic sign]
自転車が私を追い越していった。
A bicycle overtook me and went ahead.
高速道路で大きなトラックを追い越すのは少し怖い。
It's a little scary to pass a large truck on the highway.
最後のカーブで一気に三人を追い越して、一位でゴールした。
I overtook three people all at once on the final curve and finished in first place.
2.
to surpass, to exceed
To go beyond someone in ability, achievement, or quantity.
弟が兄を追い越した。
The younger brother surpassed his older brother.
売り上げが去年を追い越した。
Sales exceeded last year's figures.
弟子が師匠を追い越すのは難しいことだ。
It is a difficult thing for a student to surpass the master.
この国の人口は、もうすぐ隣の国を追い越すだろう。
This country's population will probably surpass the neighboring country's soon.
彼女は努力を続けて、全国大会で優勝した先輩をついに追い越した。
She kept working hard and finally surpassed the senior who had won the national tournament.
追い越す is a transitive verb (他動詞) meaning to overtake or surpass.
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 追う (to chase) + 越す (to cross) → to chase and pass over
ASPECT (ている):
追い越している indicates an ongoing action of passing or a state of having surpassed.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 車を追い越す (pass a car)
- 追い越し禁止 (no passing)
- 追い越し車線 (passing lane)
- ～を追い越して一位になる (pass ~ and take first place)
TRAFFIC TERMS:
- 追い越し: overtaking, passing (noun)
- 追い越し車線: passing lane
- 追い越し禁止: no passing zone
[Register: Neutral]
Related Words
Related:
追い掛ける (to chase (without passing))