Overachiever
Meaning: A person who does more than expected or exceeds the standard level of achievement.
An overachiever goes above and beyond in everything — school, work, extracurriculars. While technically a compliment, it can carry a subtle negative edge, implying the person is trying too hard or making others look bad. In American culture, overachievers are both admired and resented.
Examples
- She's such an overachiever — she took six AP classes and captained two sports teams. 她真是个拼命三郎——选了六门AP课程,还当了两个运动队的队长。Es una sobreexigente total — cursó seis asignaturas avanzadas y fue capitana de dos equipos deportivos.彼女は本当にオーバーアチーバーだ——AP科目を6つ取って、2つの運動部のキャプテンを務めた。그녀는 정말 오버어치버야 — AP 과목 6개를 수강하면서 두 운동부의 주장을 맡았어.
- The overachievers in the office make the rest of us look lazy. 办公室里的拼命三郎们让我们其他人看起来像在偷懒。Los sobreexigentes de la oficina hacen que el resto parezcamos vagos.職場のオーバーアチーバーたちのせいで、残りの俺たちが怠け者に見える。직장의 오버어치버들 때문에 나머지 우리가 게을러 보인다.
- Don't be an overachiever on every project — save some energy. 不用每个项目都拼命——留点精力。No seas un sobreexigente en cada proyecto — guárdate algo de energía.全てのプロジェクトでオーバーアチーバーになるな——エネルギーを温存しろよ。모든 프로젝트에서 오버어치버가 되려 하지 마 — 에너지를 아껴둬.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: school, work, personality
Tone: impressed but slightly envious
✓ Do Say
- She's always been an overachiever.她一直都是个拼命三郎。Siempre ha sido una sobreexigente.彼女は昔からオーバーアチーバーだった。그녀는 항상 오버어치버였어.
- The overachievers in the class set an impossible curve.班里的拼命三郎们把平均分拉得高不可攀。Los sobreexigentes de la clase dejan el listón imposible.クラスのオーバーアチーバーたちが、ありえない基準を作ってしまう。반의 오버어치버들이 불가능한 커브를 만든다.
✗ Don't Say
- Can sound backhanded — the person might feel criticized rather than complimented可能听起来像反话——对方可能会觉得是在批评而不是夸奖Puede sonar a elogio envenenado — la persona podría sentirse criticada en vez de halagada嫌味に聞こえることがある——言われた本人は褒められたというより批判されたと感じるかもしれない빈정대는 말로 들릴 수 있다 — 상대가 칭찬이 아닌 비판으로 느낄 수 있다
Origin & History
American psychology and education term from the mid-20th century. Originally neutral, it gained slightly negative connotations as American culture developed more ambivalence toward extreme ambition.
Cultural Context
Era: Mid-20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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