Translation guide
The concept of surpassing or exceeding someone or something in performance, quality, or achievement. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for outdoing others or oneself.
To express that one person or thing exceeds another in ability, 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 surpasses me in experience.
品質では他社に勝る製品を作りたい。
We want to make products that surpass other companies in quality.
Means 'to exceed' or 'to go above' a certain level, often used with numbers, expectations, or records.
今年の売上は目標を上回った。
This year's sales exceeded the target.
彼の記録は前回の記録を大きく上回っている。
His record greatly surpasses the previous one.
Implies outdoing in a competitive sense, often enduring or overcoming. Can mean 'to outdo' or 'to surpass' in toughness or intensity.
彼はライバルを凌ぐ実力を持っている。
He has the ability to outdo his rivals.
Means 'to stand out' or 'to excel', emphasizing being head and shoulders above others.
彼女はクラスで抜きん出た成績を収めた。
She achieved outstanding grades, outdoing everyone in the class.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'one step ahead' or 'a cut above', used when someone is slightly better or more skilled.
彼の交渉術は私より一枚上手だ。
His negotiation skills are a cut above mine.
To express improving upon one's own past performance or exceeding personal limits.
Literally 'update one's personal best', commonly used in sports and personal goals.
今日のレースで自己ベストを更新した。
I outdid my personal best in today's race.
Means 'to surpass oneself', a direct and motivational expression.
常に自分を超える努力をしている。
I'm always striving to outdo myself.
Used when a result exceeds the previous one, common in business or academic contexts.
今回のテストの点数は前回を上回った。
My test score this time outdid the last one.
To describe a situation where someone tries to outdo others in a showy or excessive manner.
Means 'to compete' or 'to vie with', often in a rivalry where each tries to outdo the other.
隣の家とイルミネーションを張り合っている。
We're competing with the neighbors over Christmas lights, each trying to outdo the other.
An adverb meaning 'not to be outdone', used when someone responds in kind to match or surpass another's action.
彼が新車を買ったので、負けじと私も買い替えた。
He bought a new car, so not to be outdone, I replaced mine too.
Literally 'compete in flashiness', used when people try to outdo each other in extravagance.
彼らは結婚式の派手さを競っている。
They are trying to outdo each other in the extravagance of their weddings.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'outdo'. Translating directly as 'アウトドゥ' is not natural. Choose the expression based on context: surpassing a person, exceeding a number, or competing in showiness.
勝る (masaru) is used for qualitative superiority (skill, quality), while 上回る (uwamawaru) is used for quantitative exceeding (numbers, records). Use 勝る when comparing inherent traits, and 上回る when comparing measurable results.