Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pass" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pass", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
過ぎる
すぎる (sugiru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
追い越す
おいこす (oikosu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pass" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 過ぎる and 追い越す.
In Japanese, 過ぎる (すぎる (sugiru)) is typically associated with "to pass; to exceed; to go beyond; to be too..." (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to physical time passing, values exceeding limits, or suffix 'すぎる' meaning doing something to excess.
On the other hand, 追い越す (おいこす (oikosu)) maps to "to pass (a car, person), to overtake" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 前にいる人や物を、スピードを上げて前に出る。Used when increasing speed to get ahead of someone or something that is in front.. A literal translation of "pass" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "過ぎる"
オフィスの時計が定時の午後6時を大きく_______頃、彼は緊急のサーバーバグ修正を完了させて大きく息を吐き出しました。
When the clock in the office greatly passed the regular hours of 6 p.m., he completed the emergency server bug correction and exhaled a big sigh.
Bilingual Context for "追い越す"
高速道路で前の車を追い越した。
I overtook the car in front on the highway.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "オフィスの時計が定時の午後6時を大きく_______頃、彼は緊急のサーバーバグ修正を完了させて大きく息を吐き出しました。" (Meaning: "When the clock in the office greatly passed the regular hours of 6 p.m., he completed the emergency server bug correction and exhaled a big sigh.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "過ぎる" fits here because it means "to pass; to exceed; to go beyond; to be too..." in the context of: "When the clock in the office greatly passed the regular hours of 6 p.m., he completed the emergency server bug correction and exhaled a big sigh.". "追い越す" represents "to pass (a car, person), to overtake".