superar
/supeˈɾaɾ/
The English word exceed is translated into Spanish as superar.
superar is the standard term used when a value or number exceeds a certain limit. Beyond numerical contexts, it is also commonly used to mean 'to overcome' an obstacle or a difficult situation.
Which one should you use?
While superar is the standard for exceeding limits or numbers, sobrepasar is often used when the emphasis is on the act of going beyond a physical or metaphorical boundary.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form of superar is superó, and the past participle is superado.
How do you pronounce it?
/supeˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- The term superación is used in Spanish to describe 'self-improvement' or 'personal growth', turning the verb 'to exceed' into a concept of social progress.
- While superar is used for overcoming challenges, if you want to say you 'exceeded' a speed limit in a car, a Spaniard might use superar but a Mexican might prefer exceder.
- The word superar shares the same Latin root as the Spanish word sobrar, which means 'to be left over' or 'to be redundant'.
Examples in context
- España fue el primer país europeo en superar el millón de infectados.Spain was the first European country to exceed one million infected.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use superar when talking about numerical limits.Tatoeba #10012252 by manufrutos, translation #9203065 by Hybrid
- Las ventas sobrepasaron nuestras expectativas.The sales exceeded our expectations
- Su rendimiento superó todas las expectativas.Their performance exceeded all expectations
- Este proyecto tiene como objetivo ir más allá de la satisfacción del cliente.This project aims to exceed customer satisfaction
- Rebasaron el límite de velocidad.They exceeded the speed limit
- Queremos pasar por encima del rendimiento de los demás.We want to exceed everyone else's performance
- Nuestro equipo sobrepasó la meta de ventas este trimestre.Our team exceeded the sales target this quarter.
- ¡Siempre logras superar nuestras expectativas!You always manage to exceed our expectations!
- ¡Vayamos más allá de lo que cualquier otro haya hecho antes!Let's go beyond what anyone else has done before!
- ¡No puedo creer que hayas rebasado la puntuación máxima!I can't believe you exceeded the maximum score!
- Ella siempre encuentra una forma de darle una vuelta de tuerca a las cosas y superar nuestras expectativas.She always finds a way to put a twist on things and exceed our expectations.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about a project budget.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿cuánto dinero gastamos en el proyecto?Alejandro, how much money did we spend on the project?
- AlejandroGastamos mucho, pero no vamos a superar el presupuesto.We spent a lot, but we are not going to exceed the budget.
- MaríaQué bueno, me preocupaba que pasara eso.That's good, I was worried that would happen.
- AlejandroTodo está bajo control, María.Everything is under control, María.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry superar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries superar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
