超

• Pinyin: chāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 超 = 走 (walk/run) + 召 (call, phonetic), to exceed or surpass

Meaning

To exceed; to surpass; to overtake. Going beyond a limit or standard.

As a verb, it means to go beyond or surpass something, whether physical (overtaking a vehicle) or abstract (exceeding expectations). Also commonly used as a prefix meaning 'super-' or 'ultra-' in compound words. Very versatile in both formal and casual contexts.

Examples

1. 他的成绩超出了所有人的预期。 His results exceeded everyone's expectations.
2. 前方车辆太慢，我想超过去。 The vehicle ahead is too slow — I want to overtake it.
3. 这次销售额超了去年同期百分之三十。 This time, sales exceeded the same period last year by thirty percent.

Usage Guide

Context: driving, performance, comparison

Tone: active

Do Say

• 超车的时候要注意安全。(Be careful when overtaking.)
• 他的表现超出了教练的预期。(His performance exceeded the coach's expectations.)

Don't Say

• 注意'超'作动词和作前缀的区别 (Note the difference between 超 as a verb 'to exceed' and as a prefix 'super-/ultra-' — 超级 'super,' 超市 'supermarket')

Origin & History

Originally meant 'to jump over' or 'leap across.' The character 超 combines 走 (walk/run) with 召 (phonetic), suggesting movement that goes beyond.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal