Translation guide
The English verb "outdo" means to surpass or do better than someone else. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and phrases depending on the context, such as general superiority, competition, or exceeding expectations.
To do better than someone or something in a general sense, often in skill, performance, or quality.
A common verb meaning 'to surpass' or 'to be superior to'. Often used in the pattern AはBに勝る (A surpasses B).
彼は経験で私に勝っている。
He outdoes me in experience.
Means 'to outdo' or 'to surpass' often in the sense of enduring or overcoming something, or exceeding a standard. Can imply surpassing a rival or a previous record.
彼は前の記録を凌ぐ成績を出した。
He achieved results that outdid the previous record.
Literally 'to exceed' or 'to go above'. Often used for numbers, expectations, or standards.
結果は予想を上回った。
The results outdid expectations.
To outdo someone in a competitive context, such as a contest, game, or rivalry.
Means 'to defeat' or 'to overcome' in a competitive sense. Implies winning against an opponent.
彼はライバルに打ち勝った。
He outdid his rival.
Literally 'to win a match/contest'. A straightforward way to express outdoing someone in a competition.
彼は勝負に勝って、相手を出し抜いた。
He won the match and outdid his opponent.
Means 'to outwit' or 'to outmaneuver'. Implies outdoing someone by being clever or stealthy.
To surpass one's own previous performance or expectations.
Literally 'to surpass oneself'. A natural way to express self-improvement or exceeding personal limits.
彼は毎回自分を超えようと努力している。
He always tries to outdo himself.
Means 'to update one's personal best'. Common in sports or personal achievements.
彼は自己ベストを更新して、前回の記録を上回った。
He outdid his previous record by updating his personal best.
To be better or greater in quality, intensity, or degree.
Means 'to be excellent' or 'to surpass'. Often used in the form 優れている to describe superior quality.
この製品は他社のものを優れている。
This product outdoes those of other companies.
A formal, literary term meaning 'to surpass' or 'to outstrip'. Used in written or technical contexts.
新技術が旧来の方法を凌駕した。
The new technology outdid the old methods.
Directly translating 'outdo' as a single Japanese word can sound unnatural. Choose the verb that matches the context: 勝る for general superiority, 打ち勝つ for competition, 上回る for numbers, etc.
Both mean 'to surpass', but 勝る often implies a comparison where one is better (AはBに勝る), while 優れる describes inherent excellence (Aは優れている). 優れる is more about quality, 勝る about relative superiority.
He outdid his competitors and got the contract.