上回る

• Reading: うわまわる
• Romaji: uwamawaru
• Kanji breakdown: 上 (jō/ue/uwa) — above, upper; 回 (kai/mawa) — revolve, go around
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.wa.ma.wa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To exceed; to surpass; to be more than. Used especially for numerical figures and statistics.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb commonly used when one quantity surpasses another, especially in statistics, business, and comparisons. Combines 上 (above) and 回る (to go around). The opposite is 下回る (to fall below). Frequently appears in news, reports, and formal writing about data and performance.

Examples

1. 今年の売上が昨年を大幅に上回った。 This year's sales far exceeded last year's.
2. 応募者数が定員を上回っている。 The number of applicants exceeds the capacity.
3. 実際の費用が予算を上回る可能性がある。 The actual costs may exceed the budget.

Usage Guide

Context: business, statistics, news reports

Tone: analytical

Origin & History

Compound of 上 (above, upper) and 回る (to go around). The image is of one value circling above another, conveying the sense of exceeding or going beyond a reference point.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional