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上を行く (うえをいく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

上うえを行いく

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (iku/yuku class)

be better than; surpass; exceed; outdo

Used to compare two things, indicating that one is superior or ahead of the other. Often used in competitive or evaluative contexts.

彼かれの成せい績せきはクラスの平へい均きんを上うえを行いく。
His grades are above the class average.

この新しん製せい品ひんは品ひん質しつで他た社しゃの上うえを行いく。

This new product surpasses others in quality.

Kanji

上above, up
行going, journey, carry out

Similar words

勝まさる
勝る also means 'to surpass' or 'to be superior', but is a single verb and often used in more formal or literary contexts. 上を行く is a more colloquial expression.
超こえる
超える means 'to exceed' or 'to go beyond' a limit or standard, and can be used for physical or abstract thresholds. 上を行く emphasizes being better in quality or performance.

Etymology

Literally 'to go above', from 上 (うえ, 'above') + を (object marker) + 行く (いく, 'to go'). The figurative meaning of surpassing or being better than something developed naturally from the spatial metaphor.