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B1 verb #800 most common 9 min read

超过

chaoguo Top 800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 超过 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 超过 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 超过 (chāoguò) as a way to say 'more than' when talking about numbers. It is a very useful word when you want to describe things that are 'bigger' or 'more' than a specific count. For example, if you have 5 apples, but your friend has 6, you can say your friend's apples 超过 5. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember the pattern: Thing + 超过 + Number. For instance, '我有超过十个朋友' (I have more than 10 friends). Even though '多' (duō) is also used for 'more', 超过 sounds a bit more specific. You might hear it when people talk about their age or how many items they have. It's a great 'power word' to make your basic Chinese sound more precise. Try using it when you go shopping or when you talk about your family size. Just remember, it's a verb, so it's like saying 'to exceed'. If you can count it, you can 超过 it!

At the A2 level, you should start using 超过 (chāoguò) to describe physical limits and simple comparisons. You will encounter this word in weather reports ('Temperature exceeds 30 degrees') and in travel contexts ('The flight takes more than 2 hours'). You should also learn to use the particle 了 (le) with it, as in 超过了, to show that a limit has already been passed. For example, '他的个子超过了他的爸爸' (His height has surpassed his father's). This level requires you to understand that 超过 is a verb that takes a direct object. You should be able to distinguish it from the '比' (bǐ) comparison. While '比' compares two things directly ('A is taller than B'), 超过 focuses on the act of passing a benchmark. You will also see it in negative forms like 不超过 (not more than/within). For example, '坐火车不超过三个小时' (Taking the train takes no more than 3 hours). This is very helpful for giving directions or explaining schedules.

At the B1 level, 超过 (chāoguò) becomes essential for discussing abstract concepts, expectations, and social trends. This is the level where you start preparing for exams like the HSK 3 or 4, where data description is common. You should use 超过 to talk about surpassing expectations (超过预期), exceeding budgets (超过预算), or breaking records (超过纪录). You will also learn to use adverbs of degree to modify it, such as 远远超过 (far exceed) or 稍微超过 (slightly exceed). At this stage, you should be comfortable using 超过 in the middle of a sentence to modify a noun, such as '超过百分之八十的人' (more than 80% of people). This is a key structure for expressing opinions on social issues or summarizing information from a text. You should also be aware of its synonyms like 多于 and start choosing the right word based on the context. For example, in a formal presentation, 超过 sounds more professional than '比...多'.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 超过 (chāoguò) with high precision in professional and academic contexts. You should be able to use it to describe complex trends in graphs and charts, which is a core skill for the IELTS or HSK 5. For instance, '随着经济的发展，城市人口已经超过了农村人口' (With economic development, the urban population has already surpassed the rural population). You should also understand the nuance between 超过 and more literary terms like 逾 (yú) or 越过 (yuèguò). At this level, you can use 超过 to describe psychological or philosophical boundaries, such as '这种痛苦超过了他的承受能力' (This pain exceeded his capacity to endure). You should also be able to use it in passive-like structures or as part of complex grammatical constructions involving '所' or '被'. Your ability to use 超过 to synthesize information from multiple sources and present a coherent argument is a hallmark of the B2 level.

At the C1 level, your use of 超过 (chāoguò) should be nuanced and context-aware. You should be able to use it to discuss high-level concepts in politics, economics, and philosophy. For example, discussing whether a government's power 超过 its constitutional mandate, or whether a piece of art 超过 its historical era. You should also be familiar with idioms and four-character expressions that involve the concept of surpassing, such as 后来居上 (the latecomer surpasses the old-timer) or 青出于蓝 (the student surpasses the teacher). At this stage, you should rarely make grammatical mistakes with 超过 and instead focus on the 'flow' and 'register' of your speech. You might use 超过 to set up a contrast in a sophisticated essay: '虽然在数量上超过了对手，但在质量上仍有差距' (Although it surpassed the opponent in quantity, there is still a gap in quality). Your vocabulary should also include formal alternatives like 凌驾, 优于, and 胜过, knowing exactly when to deploy each for maximum impact.

At the C2 level, 超过 (chāoguò) is a tool for precise, elegant, and powerful expression. You use it not just to convey information, but to craft rhetoric. You might use it in a speech to describe a nation's journey: '我们的成就已经超过了前辈们的梦想' (Our achievements have already surpassed the dreams of our predecessors). You understand the deep etymological roots of the characters and can appreciate their use in classical-style modern prose. You can identify when 超过 is used ironically or metaphorically in literature. Furthermore, you can analyze the subtle differences in how 超过 is used in different Chinese-speaking regions (Mainland China vs. Taiwan vs. Singapore). At this level, you are also a master of the 'negative' space of the word—knowing when *not* to use it to avoid redundancy or to maintain a specific rhythmic balance in your writing. You can seamlessly integrate 超过 into complex legal, medical, or technical discourses, ensuring that the surrounding language is equally sophisticated and precise.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

超过 in 30 Seconds

超过 (chāoguò) is a verb meaning 'to exceed' or 'to surpass' in quantity, quality, or physical position.
It is commonly used with numbers, such as '超过一百' (more than 100), and abstract limits like '超过预期' (exceed expectations).
Grammatically, it functions as a transitive verb and often takes the particle '了' to indicate a reached state.
It is a key vocabulary word for describing trends and data in academic writing and formal examinations like HSK and IELTS.

The Chinese verb 超过 (chāoguò) is a foundational term in the Mandarin lexicon, primarily used to denote the act of surpassing, exceeding, or going beyond a specific numerical value, a predefined limit, or a qualitative level. At its core, the word is composed of two characters: 超 (chāo), which means to leap over or transcend, and 过 (guò), which means to pass or cross. When combined, they create a dynamic sense of movement beyond a boundary. This word is indispensable for anyone looking to describe data, compare achievements, or discuss boundaries in both professional and daily contexts.

Numerical Exceedance: This is the most common usage. It describes when a quantity is greater than a specific number. For example, in a business report, you might say the revenue exceeded one million dollars. In this context, 超过 functions as a transitive verb followed directly by the number and the unit.
Surpassing Expectations or Limits: Beyond numbers, it applies to abstract concepts like expectations, standards, or limits. If a student's performance is better than what the teacher anticipated, we say it 超过 expectations. It implies a breakthrough of a ceiling or a standard.
Physical Overtaking: In traffic or sports, it refers to the physical act of one entity passing another. A fast car might 超过 a slower car on the highway. This usage emphasizes the relative change in position.

“这家公司的市值已经超过了十亿美元。” (The market value of this company has already exceeded one billion US dollars.)

Example of numerical exceedance in a financial context.

In the context of international examinations like the IELTS or HSK, 超过 is a high-frequency word. It allows speakers to move beyond simple 'A is bigger than B' structures and use more sophisticated descriptive language. It is often paired with adverbs like 远远 (yuǎnyuǎn - by far) to emphasize a significant gap, as in 远远超过 (far exceeding).

“他的中文水平已经超过了他的老师。” (His Chinese level has already surpassed his teacher's.)

Example of qualitative surpassing.

Formal vs. Informal: In formal writing, 超过 is preferred over more colloquial terms like '多' (duō). In academic papers, one would write '样本量超过了五百' (the sample size exceeded 500) rather than '有五百多个样本'.

Culturally, the concept of 超过 is deeply embedded in the Chinese ethos of constant improvement and competition. Whether it is a student striving to 超过 their peers in exams or a city aiming to 超过 another in GDP, the word carries a connotation of progress and ambition. However, it can also be used in negative contexts, such as 超过限度 (exceeding the limit), which implies a violation of rules or safety protocols.

Using 超过 (chāoguò) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a transitive verb. Unlike the English 'more than', which often acts as a quantifier, 超过 functions as the action in the sentence. The basic structure is: [Subject] + 超过 + [Object/Number].

Structure 1: Surpassing a Number: When the object is a quantity, the sentence describes a statistical fact.
Example: “参加会议的人数超过了一百人。” (The number of people attending the meeting exceeded 100.)
Structure 2: Surpassing a Person or Entity: When the object is a person or organization, it describes a competitive surpassing.
Example: “他在比赛中超过了所有的对手。” (He surpassed all his opponents in the competition.)

“气温超过了四十度，大家要注意防暑。” (The temperature has exceeded 40 degrees; everyone should be careful of heatstroke.)

One critical grammatical point is the use of the aspect particle 了 (le). Because 超过 often describes a state that has been reached or an action that has been completed (the moment the limit was crossed), 了 is frequently attached to the verb. However, if you are describing a general rule or a future possibility, 了 may be omitted.

In negative sentences, you can use 没有 (méiyǒu) to indicate that a limit was not reached, or 不 (bù) for general constraints. “他的体重没有超过七十公斤” (His weight did not exceed 70kg). “这种产品的价格不应超过一百元” (The price of this product should not exceed 100 yuan).

“如果你想在考试中取得好成绩，你的努力必须超过别人。” (If you want to get good results in the exam, your efforts must exceed others'.)

Advanced learners should note the use of 超过 in complex clauses. It can act as a modifier: “超过百分之五十的投票者支持这项政策” (More than 50% of voters support this policy). Here, the entire phrase “超过百分之五十的” acts as an adjective modifying “投票者”.

In modern China, 超过 (chāoguò) is ubiquitous. You will encounter it in diverse settings, from the high-pressure environment of a Shanghai boardroom to a casual conversation in a Chengdu tea house. Understanding the context helps in grasping the subtle weight the word carries.

News and Media: News anchors frequently use 超过 when reporting on economic growth, population statistics, or weather anomalies. For instance, '北京今天的气温超过了历史最高纪录' (Beijing's temperature today exceeded the historical record). It provides a sense of factual precision.
Corporate and Business Culture: In the '996' work culture (working 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week), you might hear employees discussing how their overtime hours 超过 the legal limit, or managers setting targets to 超过 competitors' market share.
Daily Shopping and Logistics: When using apps like Meituan or Ele.me, you'll see messages like '配送时间可能超过30分钟' (Delivery time might exceed 30 minutes). In e-commerce, free shipping often applies if your order 超过 a certain amount (e.g., 满99元包邮).

“这个视频的播放量已经超过了一千万次。” (The views for this video have already exceeded ten million.)

A common phrase in the age of social media influencers.

In academic settings, particularly in STEM fields, 超过 is used to describe experimental results that go beyond theoretical predictions. A researcher might state that the efficiency of a new solar cell 超过 previous models. This usage is strictly objective and data-driven.

Socially, 超过 is used when comparing children's heights or academic grades. Parents often say, '我儿子现在的个子已经超过我了' (My son is now taller than me). This reflects a sense of pride in the growth and development of the younger generation.

“在这次马拉松比赛中，他最后关头超过了第一名。” (In this marathon, he overtook the leader at the last moment.)

Example from sports commentary.

Finally, in the legal and regulatory sphere, 超过 is used to define boundaries. Traffic signs might indicate that vehicle weight cannot 超过 a certain tonnage, or a contract might state that the delay in payment cannot 超过 seven days. In these contexts, the word carries the force of law and regulation.

While 超过 (chāoguò) is a versatile word, English speakers often stumble when integrating it into Chinese sentence structures. The most frequent errors arise from treating it like the English 'more than' or 'over', which have different grammatical properties.

Mistake 1: Using it as an Adjective/Preposition: In English, we say 'I have over ten books.' A direct translation might lead a student to say '我有超过十本书.' While this is technically understandable and sometimes used in modern speech, it is grammatically more precise to say '我有的书超过了十本' or use '多于' (duōyú). 超过 prefers to be the main verb.
Mistake 2: Confusing with '比' (bǐ): Students often try to use 超过 in a comparative structure.
Incorrect: '他超过我聪明' (He exceeds me smart).
Correct: '他比我聪明' (He is smarter than me) OR '他的聪明程度超过了我' (His level of intelligence surpassed mine).
Mistake 3: Confusing with '越过' (yuèguò): While both mean 'to cross/surpass', 越过 is usually for physical obstacles like mountains or walls. 超过 is for surpassing a moving target or a numerical limit. You 越过 a wall, but you 超过 a runner.

“错误用法：这件衣服的价格超过贵。” (Wrong: This clothing's price is 'exceedingly' expensive.)

You cannot use '超过' as an intensifier like 'very' or 'extremely'. Use '非常' or '太' instead.

Another subtle mistake is the omission of the object. 超过 is a transitive verb; it always needs to surpass *something*. You cannot just say '他超过了' (He surpassed) without context. You must specify what was surpassed: '他超过了前一名选手' (He surpassed the previous runner).

Finally, watch out for the 'No more than' structure. In English, 'no more than' can mean 'only'. In Chinese, 不超过 (bù chāoguò) strictly means 'not exceeding'. If you want to say 'only 5 people', say '只有五个人', not '不超过五个人' (which could mean 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5).

“注意：超过通常用于客观数据的比较，而胜过多用于主观能力的比较。” (Note: '超过' is usually for objective data, while '胜过' is for subjective abilities.)

In summary, treat 超过 as a strong, active verb. Ensure it has a clear subject (the thing doing the surpassing) and a clear object (the limit or entity being surpassed), and avoid using it as a simple modifier for adjectives.

To truly master 超过 (chāoguò), one must understand its place within a family of related terms. Depending on the context—be it physical, qualitative, or formal—different words might be more appropriate.

超过 (chāoguò) vs. 越过 (yuèguò): 超过: Surpassing a number, a limit, or a competitor in speed/rank. (e.g., 超过限速 - exceeding speed limit).
越过: Physically crossing over an obstacle like a fence, a border, or a mountain. (e.g., 越过国境 - crossing the national border).
超过 (chāoguò) vs. 胜过 (shèngguò): 超过: Objective and often numerical. (e.g., 产量超过去年 - output exceeded last year).
胜过: Qualitative and subjective; meaning 'to be better than'. (e.g., 事实胜于雄辩 - facts speak louder than words/surpass eloquence).
超过 (chāoguò) vs. 多于 (duōyú): 超过: An active verb implying the process of surpassing.
多于: A stative verb/prepositional phrase meaning 'more than'. It is more formal and used in mathematical or statistical comparisons (e.g., A多于B).

“在学术论文中，人们常用逾 (yú) 来代替超过，以显得更加庄重。” (In academic papers, people often use '逾' to replace '超过' to appear more solemn.)

Example: 逾五成 (over 50%).

Other alternatives include 优于 (yōuyú), which means 'superior to', and 高于 (gāoyú), which means 'higher than'. These are specifically used for levels, grades, or positions. For example, '质量优于同类产品' (Quality is superior to similar products).

In literary contexts, you might encounter 凌驾 (língjià), which means to tower over or place oneself above others, often with a negative connotation of arrogance. This is a much stronger and more specific word than the neutral 超过.

“他的表现出类拔萃，远远超过了同龄人。” (His performance was outstanding, far surpassing his peers.)

Using an idiom (出类拔萃) alongside '超过' for emphasis.

When writing, choosing the right synonym can change the tone of your sentence. 超过 is the 'safe' middle-ground choice—accurate, clear, and professional. Using 逾 or 多于 elevates the register, while 比...多 keeps it conversational.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '超' contains the '走' (walk/run) radical, emphasizing the physical movement involved in surpassing someone. The '召' part provides the sound.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃaʊ kwɔː/

US /tʃaʊ ɡwoʊ/

In Chinese, both syllables carry equal weight, but the falling tone of 'guò' often makes it sound more emphatic.

Rhymes With

高 (gāo) 包 (bāo) 刀 (dāo) 猫 (māo) 做 (zuò) 错 (cuò) 阔 (kuò) 落 (luò)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'chāo' with a rising tone instead of a flat high tone.
Failing to drop the tone sufficiently on 'guò'.
Confusing 'chāo' with 'shǎo' (few).
Merging the two syllables into one sound.
Mispronouncing the 'u' in 'guo' as a long 'oo' without the 'w' glide.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to common characters.

Writing 3/5

The character '超' has many strokes and requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

Simple two-syllable word, easy to pronounce.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, often heard in news and data.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

多过比大高

Learn Next

超越胜过优于范围预期

Advanced

凌驾逾越出类拔萃名列前茅

Grammar to Know

The Aspect Particle '了' with Verbs of Result

他超过了纪录。

Comparison with '比'

他比我高 (Not: 他超过我高).

Approximate Numbers with '多'

五十多个人 (Can be replaced by '超过五十个人').

Negative '没有' for Past Events

他没有超过我。

The '超过...的' Adjective Structure

超过一半的学生...

Examples by Level

我有超过五个苹果。

I have more than five apples.

Simple [Subject] + [超过] + [Number] structure.

班里有超过二十个学生。

There are more than 20 students in the class.

Using '超过' to describe a group size.

这本书超过一百页。

This book is over 100 pages.

Describing the length of an object.

他的岁数超过了十岁。

His age is over ten years old.

Using '了' to show a reached state.

我每天喝超过三杯水。

I drink more than three glasses of water every day.

Describing a daily habit.

这里有超过十辆车。

There are more than ten cars here.

Basic counting context.

他的钱超过了五十块。

His money exceeds 50 yuan.

Financial context at a basic level.

这件衣服超过一百块吗？

Does this clothing cost more than 100 yuan?

Question form using '吗'.

坐飞机去北京要超过两个小时。

Going to Beijing by plane takes more than two hours.

Describing duration of time.

今天的气温超过了三十度。

Today's temperature exceeded 30 degrees.

Common weather reporting structure.

他的个子已经超过了他哥哥。

His height has already surpassed his older brother's.

Comparing physical attributes.

这个包的价格不超过两百元。

The price of this bag does not exceed 200 yuan.

Negative form '不超过' meaning 'within'.

我们要跑超过五公里。

We need to run more than five kilometers.

Describing distance.

这个房间可以坐超过十个人。

This room can seat more than ten people.

Describing capacity.

他学中文的时间超过了一年。

The time he has studied Chinese exceeds one year.

Describing experience duration.

超市里有超过五十种水果。

There are more than 50 kinds of fruit in the supermarket.

Describing variety.

这次考试的难度超过了我的预期。

The difficulty of this exam exceeded my expectations.

Surpassing an abstract concept (expectations).

这家公司的员工人数超过了五百人。

The number of employees in this company exceeds 500.

Professional/Business context.

他的汉语水平已经超过了HSK四级。

His Chinese level has already surpassed HSK Level 4.

Describing proficiency levels.

这种手机的销量超过了其他品牌。

The sales of this phone exceeded other brands.

Comparing market performance.

我们的预算不能超过一万元。

Our budget cannot exceed 10,000 yuan.

Setting a financial limit.

这个城市的历史超过了两千年。

This city's history exceeds 2,000 years.

Describing historical duration.

他的努力程度超过了班里所有人。

His level of effort exceeded everyone else in the class.

Qualitative comparison.

超过半数的学生支持这个计划。

More than half of the students support this plan.

Using '超过' as a modifier for a noun phrase.

由于需求超过了供应，价格开始上涨。

As demand exceeded supply, prices began to rise.

Economic context (Demand vs. Supply).

他的表现远远超过了同龄人的平均水平。

His performance far exceeded the average level of his peers.

Using '远远' for emphasis.

这种新材料的强度超过了钢铁。

The strength of this new material exceeds that of steel.

Scientific/Technical comparison.

申请人数已经超过了职位的空缺数。

The number of applicants has already exceeded the number of job vacancies.

Recruitment context.

他的影响力已经超过了学术界的范畴。

His influence has already surpassed the scope of academia.

Describing the scope of influence.

如果速度超过限速，你会被罚款。

If your speed exceeds the limit, you will be fined.

Legal/Regulatory context.

这种药物的效果超过了传统疗法。

The effect of this drug exceeded traditional therapies.

Medical/Research context.

超过百分之九十的用户对产品表示满意。

More than 90% of users expressed satisfaction with the product.

Statistical reporting.

这部作品的艺术价值远远超过了它的商业价值。

The artistic value of this work far exceeds its commercial value.

Philosophical/Artistic comparison.

他的权力已经超过了法律所允许的范围。

His power has already exceeded the scope permitted by law.

Political/Legal critique.

该项目的复杂程度超过了我们的想象。

The complexity of the project exceeded our imagination.

Abstract surpassing of mental limits.

这种文化现象的影响力超过了国界。

The influence of this cultural phenomenon has surpassed national borders.

Global/Sociological context.

他在文学上的成就已经超过了他的前辈。

His achievements in literature have already surpassed those of his predecessors.

Historical/Literary comparison.

超过预期的通货膨胀给经济带来了压力。

Inflation that exceeded expectations put pressure on the economy.

Macroeconomic context.

这种技术的应用范围正在不断超过最初的设计。

The scope of application for this technology is constantly exceeding its original design.

Technological evolution.

他的慷慨大方超过了所有人的认知。

His generosity exceeded everyone's perception.

Describing character traits.

这种深邃的思想已经超过了语言所能承载的极限。

This profound thought has already exceeded the limits that language can carry.

Highly abstract/Philosophical.

该地区的生态破坏程度已经超过了自然的自我修复能力。

The degree of ecological destruction in the region has already exceeded nature's self-repair capacity.

Environmental/Scientific analysis.

他的辞职引起了超过预料的政治动荡。

His resignation caused political turmoil that exceeded expectations.

Political analysis.

这一发现的意义远远超过了科学界最初的评估。

The significance of this discovery far exceeded the initial assessment of the scientific community.

Evaluating scientific impact.

他在处理危机时表现出的冷静超过了常人的理解。

The calmness he showed when handling the crisis exceeded ordinary people's understanding.

Psychological depth.

超过半个世纪的隔阂终于在今天被打破了。

An estrangement of more than half a century was finally broken today.

Historical/Diplomatic context.

这种审美趣味已经超过了大众流行的范畴，进入了小众领域。

This aesthetic taste has already surpassed the scope of mass popularity and entered a niche field.

Cultural/Aesthetic critique.

该项政策的负面影响可能超过其带来的短期收益。

The negative impact of this policy may exceed the short-term benefits it brings.

Policy evaluation.

Synonyms

越过超越胜过多于大于

Antonyms

低于少于

Common Collocations

超过预期

超过限度

超过标准

超过半数

超过纪录

超过预算

超过限速

超过常人

超过以往

超过范围

Common Phrases

远远超过

— To exceed by a large margin. Used for emphasis.

他的能力远远超过了这份工作的要求。

不超过

— Not more than; within a certain limit.

路程不超过十公里。

没有超过

— Did not exceed; stayed within the limit.

今年的气温没有超过往年。

刚超过

— Just barely exceeded.

分数刚超过及格线。

可能超过

— Might exceed; used for predictions.

人数可能超过五百。

无法超过

— Cannot surpass; used for insurmountable limits.

这个纪录目前还无法超过。

必须超过

— Must exceed; used for requirements.

你的分数必须超过录取线。

已经超过

— Has already exceeded; indicates a completed state.

时间已经超过了半小时。

从未超过

— Has never exceeded.

价格从未超过一百元。

即将超过

— About to exceed.

销量即将超过对手。

Often Confused With

超过 vs 越过

越过 is for physical barriers; 超过 is for limits or competitors.

超过 vs 通过

通过 means to pass through or pass an exam; 超过 means to exceed.

超过 vs 比

比 is a preposition for comparison; 超过 is a verb.

Idioms & Expressions

"后来居上"

— The latecomer surpasses those who started earlier. Often used for successful juniors.

他在公司虽然年轻，但表现出色，后来居上。

Neutral

"青出于蓝"

— The student surpasses the teacher. Literally 'blue comes from indigo but is bluer'.

他的画技已经青出于蓝而胜于蓝了。

Formal

"出类拔萃"

— To stand out from the crowd; far surpassing one's peers.

他在众多选手中出类拔萃。

Formal

"名列前茅"

— To be at the top of the list; surpassing most others in rank.

她的成绩在班里名列前茅。

Neutral

"不可逾越"

— Insurmountable; cannot be surpassed or crossed.

这是一道不可逾越的鸿沟。

Formal

"过犹不及"

— Going too far is as bad as not going far enough. Surpassing the limit is not always good.

锻炼要适度，过犹不及。

Formal

"超群绝伦"

— Exceeding the group and having no equal.

他的武艺超群绝伦。

Literary

"绰绰有余"

— More than enough; surpassing the needed amount significantly.

这些食物供十个人吃绰绰有余。

Neutral

"凌驾于人"

— To place oneself above others in an arrogant way.

他不应该总是凌驾于人。

Negative

"望尘莫及"

— So far behind that one can only see the dust of the person ahead; unable to surpass.

他在数学方面的天赋让我望尘莫及。

Neutral

Easily Confused

超过 vs 超越

Both mean to surpass.

超越 is more abstract and inspirational (transcend), while 超过 is more factual and numerical.

超越自我 (Transcend oneself) vs 超过一百 (Exceed 100).

超过 vs 胜过

Both mean to be better than.

胜过 is qualitative (better than); 超过 is quantitative (more than).

事实胜过雄辩 (Facts are better than words).

超过 vs 多于

Both compare quantities.

多于 is a stative description; 超过 is an active verb of surpassing.

A多于B (A is more than B).

超过 vs 高于

Both compare levels.

高于 is for height, level, or price; 超过 is for the act of passing that level.

气温高于三十度 (Temp is higher than 30).

超过 vs 逾

Both mean to exceed.

逾 is extremely formal and usually only used before numbers in written Chinese.

逾五成 (Over 50%).

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 超过 + Number

我有超过十本书。

Subject + 超过了 + Object

他超过了第一名。

Subject + 超过了 + 预期/标准

质量超过了标准。

超过 + Number + 的 + Noun

超过一半的人同意。

Subject + 远远超过 + Object

收入远远超过支出。

没有/不 + 超过 + Limit

时间不能超过一小时。

Subject + 超过了 + ...的范畴

这超过了法律的范畴。

Subject + 之所以...是因为...超过了...

该项目之所以失败是因为难度超过了能力。

Word Family

Nouns

超越者 (surpasser)

超额 (excess/surplus)

超人 (superman)

Verbs

超越 (to transcend)

超车 (to overtake a car)

超支 (to overspend)

Adjectives

超级 (super)

超凡 (extraordinary)

超速 (speeding)

通过 (pass)

经过 (go through)

过去 (past)

超重 (overweight)

超载 (overload)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news, business, and academic contexts.

Common Mistakes

我超过他高。 → 我比他高 / 我的身高超过了他。
超过 is a verb and cannot be used in a '比' comparison structure with an adjective.
我有超过十个苹果。 → 我有十多个苹果 / 我有的苹果超过了十个。
While '我有超过十个' is becoming common, it is technically better to use '超过' as the main verb or use '多'.
他超过了山。 → 他越过了山。
Use 越过 for physical obstacles like mountains.
价格超过贵。 → 价格非常贵。
超过 cannot modify adjectives.
他超过了。 → 他超过了第一名。
超过 is transitive and needs an object.

Tips

Verb Status

Always remember 超过 is a verb. It needs an object. If you want to say 'more than', think of it as 'exceeds'.

IELTS/HSK Tip

Use 超过 to describe peaks in graphs. 'The value peaked and exceeded 500 units' (数值达到顶点并超过了500个单位).

Emphasis

Add '远远' (yuǎnyuǎn) before 超过 to show a huge difference. It makes you sound more fluent.

Formal Writing

In very formal reports, consider using '逾' (yú) instead of 超过 for numerical data.

Compound Words

Learn words like '超速' (speeding) and '超重' (overweight) to see how '超' carries the meaning of 'excess'.

Competition

Understand that '超过' is often used in a competitive sense in China, reflecting a focus on ranking and progress.

Benchmark

Whenever you use 超过, make sure there is a clear benchmark being surpassed.

Numbers

In listening tests, the number following 超过 is usually the 'more than' value. Don't confuse it with the exact value.

No Adjectives

Never say '超过贵' or '超过好'. Use '非常' or '特别' for adjectives.

Variety

Switch between '超过', '多于', and '比...多' to make your writing less repetitive.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Super' (超) person 'Going' (过) past everyone else. 'Chao' sounds like 'Ciao' (as in goodbye to the people you just passed!).

Visual Association

Imagine a runner in a race suddenly leaping (超) over a hurdle and passing (过) the leader to win.

Word Web

数量限制水平预期标准纪录对手范围

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about your goals this year using '超过'. One about money, one about a skill, and one about time.

Word Origin

The word '超过' is a compound of two ancient Chinese characters. '超' (chāo) appeared in early scripts to describe the act of jumping or leaping. '过' (guò) originally meant to pass by or go through a place.

Original meaning: To leap over and pass by.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '超过' to compare people's worth or value, as it can sound overly competitive or insensitive in social settings.

In English, 'exceed' sounds formal, while 'more than' is common. In Chinese, '超过' is the standard for both, making it very versatile.

China's GDP surpassing Japan in 2010 (中国GDP超过日本). Liu Xiang breaking the world record (刘向超过世界纪录). The phrase '超英赶美' (Surpass the UK and catch up with the US) from the 1950s.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Traffic

超过限速
禁止超车
超过载重
超速行驶

Finance

超过预算
超过成本
超过利润
超过额度

Weather

超过三十度
超过历史纪录
超过平均降雨量
超过警戒线

Education

超过录取分数线
超过平均分
超过其他同学
超过考试时间

Social Media

超过一万个赞
超过百万粉丝
超过转发量
超过播放量

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这个城市的房价会超过北京吗？"

"你的中文水平已经超过你的预期了吗？"

"你每天上网的时间会超过三个小时吗？"

"在这个比赛中，谁最有可能超过第一名？"

"你认为人工智能的能力会超过人类吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你生活中曾经超过的一次挑战。

描述一个你想要超过的目标，以及你打算怎么做。

讨论一下当一个人的成功超过了他的努力时，会发生什么。

你认为现在的科技发展是否已经超过了人类的控制？

写一写你对‘过犹不及’（超过限度反而不好）的看法。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but you must use it as a verb. You can say '他的身高超过了我' (His height surpassed mine). You cannot say '他超过我高'.

超过 is a verb (to exceed), while 多于 is more like a prepositional phrase (more than). 超过 is more common in speech and news; 多于 is more common in formal statistics.

You can say '超过五十个人' or '五十多个人'. '超过' sounds slightly more formal.

Yes. '超过两个小时' means 'more than two hours'.

It is neutral. It depends on what is being exceeded. '超过预期' is positive; '超过限速' is negative.

No. 超过 is a verb and cannot modify an adverb like '非常'.

No. Use '了' when the surpassing has already happened. Use it without '了' for general rules or future possibilities.

The opposite is '低于' (lower than) or '少于' (fewer than).

Yes, in a metaphorical sense. '他的悲伤超过了我的想象' (His sadness exceeded my imagination).

Yes, it is standard across all Chinese-speaking regions.