超越

• Pinyin: chāo yuè
• Hanzi breakdown: 超 (exceed, super) + 越 (cross, surpass)

Meaning

To surpass; to transcend; to exceed.

Used for going beyond limits, whether physical, mental, or abstract. Can describe surpassing competitors, transcending boundaries, or exceeding expectations. Often appears in motivational or competitive contexts.

Examples

1. 他的成绩已经超越了班里所有的同学。 His grades have already surpassed all his classmates.
2. 艺术家总是试图超越传统的束缚，寻找新的表达方式。 Artists always try to transcend traditional constraints and find new ways of expression.
3. 运动员们不断挑战自己，力争超越个人最好成绩。 Athletes constantly challenge themselves, striving to exceed their personal best.

Usage Guide

Context: competition, achievement, philosophy

Tone: aspirational

Do Say

• 他超越了前辈。(He surpassed his predecessors.)
• 我们要超越自我。(We must transcend ourselves.)

Don't Say

• 说'超越过马路'——超越不用于物理上越过障碍，用'越过'或'跨过' (Don't say 超越过马路 — 超越 isn't for physically crossing obstacles; use 越过 or 跨过)

Origin & History

Compound of 超 (to exceed/super) + 越 (to cross/surpass), meaning 'to go beyond and surpass.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal