Translation guide
The English verb 'overtake' has several distinct meanings, from passing a vehicle to surpassing someone in achievement or being overcome by an emotion. This guide organizes these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To move past another vehicle or person traveling in the same direction, especially on a road or track.
The most common and general verb for overtaking a vehicle or person. Used in driving, cycling, running, etc.
I overtook a slow car.
Often used in racing or competitive contexts, meaning to pass or outstrip. Can also imply 'leaving behind'.
Similar to 追い越す but often implies overtaking and then pulling ahead significantly. Common in sports and racing.
Borrowed from English 'pass', used in casual driving contexts or racing games. Less formal.
Let's pass that car.
To become greater or more successful than someone or something, often in business, sports, or statistics.
When a strong feeling suddenly affects someone, often unexpectedly.
Literally 'to be attacked by ~'. Used for sudden, overwhelming emotions like fear, doubt, or sadness.
When a situation, often negative, happens to a person or place, changing their state.
Used for being hit by a disaster, misfortune, or sudden event. Literally 'to be visited by'.
When something spreads over and takes control of a place or thing, like weeds, fire, or darkness.
Means 'to cover' or 'to envelop'. Used when something spreads over a surface or area.
追い越す is the standard word for overtaking in traffic or on foot. 抜く is more casual and often used in racing or competitive contexts, implying leaving someone behind. 追い抜く combines both nuances, often used when you overtake and then pull ahead significantly.
Overtake a truck on the highway.
It's dangerous to overtake a truck.
I overtook him on the final lap.
彼は前のランナーを追い抜いた。
He overtook the runner ahead.
Can be used metaphorically for surpassing in sales, rankings, etc.
Our sales overtook the rival company.
Common in competitive contexts like sports or business rankings.
He overtook his classmates in grades.
Means 'to exceed' or 'to surpass', often used with numbers, expectations, or records.
This year's profits overtook last year's.
Implies surpassing in quality, intensity, or hardship. Often used in phrases like 'outdo' or 'outperform'.
The new product overtakes the previous model in performance.
I was suddenly overtaken by anxiety.
He was overtaken by intense anger.
Means 'to be driven by' or 'to be seized by' an emotion or impulse. Often used with curiosity, desire, or fear.
Overtaken by curiosity, I peeked inside.
Implies being caught or trapped by an emotion or thought, often negative like fear or obsession.
He was overtaken by fear.
The area was overtaken by floods.
He was overtaken by a sudden illness.
Also used for disasters or attacks, similar to 見舞われる but with a more violent nuance.
The town was overtaken by an earthquake.
The garden was overtaken by weeds.
The sky was overtaken by dark clouds.
Means 'to occupy' or 'to take over'. Used when something fills a space or dominates.
The room was overtaken by books.
レースでライバルを抜く。
Overtake a rival in a race.
Overtake the leader in a marathon.
Do not use 追い越す for emotions. Instead, use passive patterns like 〜に襲われる or 〜に駆られる. Saying 感情が私を追い越した is unnatural.
I was overtaken by sadness.