1.
to pass; to overtake
To catch up with and move ahead of someone or something that was in front. Used for physical movement like running or driving.
前の車を追い抜いた。
I passed the car in front.
ゴール手前で一気に三人を追い抜いた。
I overtook three people all at once just before the finish line.
狭い道で無理に追い抜こうとすると危ない。
It's dangerous to try to pass on a narrow road.
2.
to outstrip; to surpass
To exceed someone in performance, ranking, or achievement. Used figuratively for competition, statistics, or progress.
売上で先輩を追い抜いた。
I surpassed my senior colleague in sales.
この国の人口はやがて隣国を追い抜くだろう。
This country's population will eventually surpass that of its neighbor.
後発メーカーが技術力で大手を追い抜く例は珍しくない。
It's not uncommon for latecoming manufacturers to surpass major companies in technical capability.
Godan verb (五段). Transitive — takes を for the person or thing being overtaken.
ASPECT:
- 追い抜いた (completed the overtaking)
- 追い抜いている (has overtaken; is in a state of having passed)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 追い越す means the same but is slightly more common in everyday speech
- 追い抜く emphasizes fully passing and leaving behind, while 追い越す can suggest just moving ahead momentarily
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 車を追い抜く (to pass a car)
- 一気に追い抜く (to overtake in one burst)
- 売上で追い抜く (to surpass in sales)