Meaning of 超越
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to surpass; to exceed; to transcend
How to use 超越
超越 is a somewhat formal verb used for surpassing a person, a record, a limit, or even oneself, and it often carries a sense of rising above something. A common phrase is 超越自我 (chāoyuè zìwǒ), to surpass oneself. Example: 他想超越自己的记录。(Tā xiǎng chāoyuè zìjǐ de jìlù.) He wants to beat his own record.
Both 超 (chāo) and 越 (yuè) contain 走 (zǒu, to walk) on the left, so picture someone walking fast and stepping past everyone ahead. Two characters about going past, combined, mean to surpass or transcend.
Common mistake: Learners often use 超越 for plain numbers, as in 超越一百人. For simple amounts, 超过 (chāoguò) is more natural. Keep 超越 for achievements, limits, and abstract ideas. Also keep the tones steady: chāo is first tone and yuè is fourth.
超越 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
超 chāo · to exceed · 12 strokes
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越 yuè · to exceed · 12 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 超越.
| 越来越 | yuè lái yuè | more and more |
| 超过 | chāoguò | to surpass; to exceed |
| 超市 | chāoshì | supermarket (abbr. for 超級市場|超级市场[chao1 ji2 shi4 chang3]) |
| 超级 | chāojí | super-; ultra- |
| 超出 | chāochū | to exceed; to overstep |
| 穿越 | chuānyuè | to traverse; to pass through; to cross; time travel (as a genre of fiction) |
| 越过 | yuèguò | to cross over; to transcend |
| 跨越 | kuàyuè | to step across; step over |
| 超速 | chāosù | to exceed the speed limit; to speed |
| 卓越 | zhuóyuè | outstanding; surpassing |
| 高超 | gāochāo | excellent; superlative |
| 越发 | yuèfā | increasingly; more and more |
Questions about 超越
What does 超越 mean?
超越 (chāoyuè) means "to surpass; to exceed; to transcend" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 超越?
超越 is made of 2 characters: 超 (12 strokes), 越 (12 strokes). That is 24 strokes in total.
Is 超越 an HSK word?
Yes. 超越 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 超越 and 超过?
超过 is everyday and neutral. It works for numbers, speed, and passing a car. 超越 sounds more formal and lofty, and it is common with abstract objects like 时代 (shídài, era), 极限 (jíxiàn, limit), or 自我 (zìwǒ, self).
Can 超越 mean to physically overtake someone, like in a race?
Yes. In sports commentary you will hear things like 他在最后一圈超越了对手 (He overtook his opponent on the last lap). In casual talk about cars, people more often say 超车 (chāochē).