Translation guide
The English verb 'overtake' has several distinct meanings, from passing a vehicle to surpassing someone in achievement or being overcome by an emotion. This guide organizes these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To move past another vehicle or person traveling in the same direction, especially on a road or track.
The most common and general verb for overtaking a vehicle or person. Used in driving, cycling, running, etc.
遅い車を追い越した。
I overtook a slow car.
トラックを追い越すのは危険だ。
It's dangerous to overtake a truck.
Often used in racing or competitive contexts, meaning to pass or outstrip. Can also imply 'leaving behind'.
最終ラップで彼を抜いた。
I overtook him on the final lap.
Similar to 追い越す but often implies overtaking and then pulling ahead significantly. Common in sports and racing.
彼は前のランナーを追い抜いた。
He overtook the runner ahead.
Borrowed from English 'pass', used in casual driving contexts or racing games. Less formal.
あの車をパスしよう。
Let's pass that car.
To become greater or more successful than someone or something, often in business, sports, or statistics.
Can be used metaphorically for surpassing in sales, rankings, etc.
当社の売上がライバル会社を追い越した。
Our sales overtook the rival company.
Common in competitive contexts like sports or business rankings.
彼は成績でクラスメートを抜いた。
He overtook his classmates in grades.
Means 'to exceed' or 'to surpass', often used with numbers, expectations, or records.
Implies surpassing in quality, intensity, or hardship. Often used in phrases like 'outdo' or 'outperform'.
When a strong feeling suddenly affects someone, often unexpectedly.
Literally 'to be attacked by ~'. Used for sudden, overwhelming emotions like fear, doubt, or sadness.
突然、不安に襲われた。
I was suddenly overtaken by anxiety.
彼は激しい怒りに襲われた。
He was overtaken by intense anger.
Means 'to be driven by' or 'to be seized by' an emotion or impulse. Often used with curiosity, desire, or fear.
好奇心に駆られて、中を覗いた。
Overtaken by curiosity, I peeked inside.
Implies being caught or trapped by an emotion or thought, often negative like fear or obsession.
彼は恐怖に囚われていた。
He was overtaken by fear.
When a situation, often negative, happens to a person or place, changing their state.
Used for being hit by a disaster, misfortune, or sudden event. Literally 'to be visited by'.
その地域は洪水に見舞われた。
The area was overtaken by floods.
彼は突然の病気に見舞われた。
He was overtaken by a sudden illness.
Also used for disasters or attacks, similar to 見舞われる but with a more violent nuance.
町が地震に襲われた。
The town was overtaken by an earthquake.
When something spreads over and takes control of a place or thing, like weeds, fire, or darkness.
Means 'to cover' or 'to envelop'. Used when something spreads over a surface or area.
庭が雑草に覆われた。
The garden was overtaken by weeds.
空が暗雲に覆われた。
The sky was overtaken by dark clouds.
Means 'to occupy' or 'to take over'. Used when something fills a space or dominates.
追い越す is the standard word for overtaking in traffic or on foot. 抜く is more casual and often used in racing or competitive contexts, implying leaving someone behind. 追い抜く combines both nuances, often used when you overtake and then pull ahead significantly.
高速道路でトラックを追い越す。
Overtake a truck on the highway.
レースでライバルを抜く。
Overtake a rival in a race.
マラソンで先頭を追い抜く。
Overtake the leader in a marathon.
Do not use 追い越す for emotions. Instead, use passive patterns like 〜に襲われる or 〜に駆られる. Saying 感情が私を追い越した is unnatural.
悲しみに襲われた。
I was overtaken by sadness.
今年の利益は去年を上回った。
This year's profits overtook last year's.
The new product overtakes the previous model in performance.
The room was overtaken by books.