1.
to surpass, to exceed, to be superior to
To be better than or exceed something in comparison. Used with に to mark the thing being surpassed.
質は量に勝る。
Quality surpasses quantity.
彼は体力で誰にも勝る。
He surpasses everyone in physical strength.
百聞は一見に勝るとも劣らない経験だった。
It was an experience no less powerful than seeing it with one's own eyes.
Takes the pattern AはBに勝る (A surpasses B). Often used in written or somewhat formal contexts. The opposite is 劣る (to be inferior).
KEY PATTERNS:
- AはBに勝る — A surpasses B
- ～に勝るとも劣らない — at least as good as, no less than
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 何にも勝る — surpassing everything, above all else
- 言葉に勝る — beyond words
- 数に勝る — superior in numbers
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 優れる — to excel, to be outstanding
- 超える — to exceed, to surpass (more general, less literary)