超速

• Pinyin: chāo sù
• Hanzi breakdown: 超 = 走 (walk/run) + 召 (to summon, phonetic); 速 = 辶 (movement) + 束 (bundle, phonetic)

Meaning

To speed; to exceed the speed limit. Driving faster than legally permitted.

A traffic violation term. Very common in driving contexts. Can be used as a verb (to speed) or as a modifier (speeding). Often appears with 行驶 (driving) or 罚款 (fine).

Examples

1. 他因为超速驾驶被扣了六分。 He had six points deducted for speeding.
2. 这条高速公路上超速的车辆特别多。 There are especially many speeding vehicles on this highway.
3. 监控摄像头抓拍到你超速了。 The surveillance camera caught you speeding.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, driving, law

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 超速行驶是非常危险的行为。(Speeding is a very dangerous behavior.)
• 导航提醒前方有超速拍照。(The GPS warned there's a speed camera ahead.)

Don't Say

• 我的心跳超速了 (超速 is specifically for vehicle speed limits — for fast heartbeat, use 加速 or 心跳加快)

Origin & History

Compound of 超 (to exceed) and 速 (speed). A modern traffic term.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal