Japanese word

追い越す

Pronunciation

Romajioikosu

Meaning

  • verbpass

Example

自転車がゆっくり前の車を追い越します。ji ten sha ga yu kku ri mae no kuruma o o i ko shi ma su

The bicycle slowly passes the car ahead.

Illustration for 追い越す (pass)

More examples

最後の直線で、彼は先頭の選手を追い越しました。sai go no choku sen de kare wa sen tō no sen shu o o i ko shi ma shi ta

He passed the leading runner on the final straight.

Core concept

Expresses catching up with someone or something from behind and then going beyond it.

Common phrases

  • 車を追い越すkuruma o o i ko su

    pass the car

  • 前の車を追い越すmae no kuruma o o i ko su

    pass the car ahead

  • 右側から追い越すmigi gawa ka ra o i ko su

    pass on the right

Similar words

追い抜くoinuku: To pass a person or vehicle after closing the gap from behind.
抜くnuku: To pass someone or something in front and take a position ahead.

Definition in Japanese

後ろから近づいて、先に進んでいる人や物より前に出る。ushi ro ka ra chika zu i te saki ni susu n de i ru hito ya mono yo ri mae ni de ru

Word origin

The verb 追い越す (oikosu) is formed from 追う (ō, "chase") and 越す (kosu, "go beyond"); 追い (oi) is the continuative form of 追う.

Usage tips

  • In English, pass can describe moving ahead of a vehicle, but it also has other common meanings, so the surrounding context identifies this driving sense.

Related words

  • 追い越しoikoshipassingnoun

Word lists with this word