Translation guide
The concept of surpassing or exceeding someone or something in performance, quality, or achievement. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for outdoing others or oneself.
To express that one person or thing exceeds another in ability, performance, or quality.
A common verb meaning 'to surpass' or 'to be superior to'. Often used in the pattern AはBに勝る (A surpasses B).
He surpasses me in experience.
We want to make products that surpass other companies in quality.
Means 'to exceed' or 'to go above' a certain level, often used with numbers, expectations, or records.
This year's sales exceeded the target.
Implies outdoing in a competitive sense, often enduring or overcoming. Can mean 'to outdo' or 'to surpass' in toughness or intensity.
He has the ability to outdo his rivals.
Means 'to stand out' or 'to excel', emphasizing being head and shoulders above others.
She achieved outstanding grades, outdoing everyone in the class.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'one step ahead' or 'a cut above', used when someone is slightly better or more skilled.
His negotiation skills are a cut above mine.
To express improving upon one's own past performance or exceeding personal limits.
Literally 'update one's personal best', commonly used in sports and personal goals.
I outdid my personal best in today's race.
Means 'to surpass oneself', a direct and motivational expression.
Used when a result exceeds the previous one, common in business or academic contexts.
To describe a situation where someone tries to outdo others in a showy or excessive manner.
Means 'to compete' or 'to vie with', often in a rivalry where each tries to outdo the other.
We're competing with the neighbors over Christmas lights, each trying to outdo the other.
An adverb meaning 'not to be outdone', used when someone responds in kind to match or surpass another's action.
Literally 'compete in flashiness', used when people try to outdo each other in extravagance.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'outdo'. Translating directly as 'アウトドゥ' is not natural. Choose the expression based on context: surpassing a person, exceeding a number, or competing in showiness.
勝る (masaru) is used for qualitative superiority (skill, quality), while 上回る (uwamawaru) is used for quantitative exceeding (numbers, records). Use 勝る when comparing inherent traits, and 上回る when comparing measurable results.
His record greatly surpasses the previous one.
I'm always striving to outdo myself.
My test score this time outdid the last one.
He bought a new car, so not to be outdone, I replaced mine too.
They are trying to outdo each other in the extravagance of their weddings.