vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Superar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to overcome", and "alcanzar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to reach". Learn more about the difference between "superar" and "alcanzar" below.
superar(
soo
-
peh
-
rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to overcome
El equipo superó a sus rivales en el campeonato.The team overcame their rivals in the championship match.
b. to go beyond
Te prometo que esta película superará todas tus expectativas.I promise you that this movie will go beyond all your expectations.
a. to exceed
El salario del director supera los dos millones de dólares anuales.The director's salary exceeds two million dollars a year.
a. to get over
Gabriel superó la muerte de su madre gracias al apoyo de su esposa.Gabriel got over the death of his mother thanks to his wife's support.
b. to get past
No podía superar por qué lo dejaría por su mejor amigo.He couldn't get past why she would leave him for his best friend.
a. to pass
Superé la entrevista y me dieron una oferta que no puedo negar.I passed the interview and they made me an offer I can't turn down.
superarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to better oneself
Ella lee tres libros por mes para entender cómo superarse. She reads three books a month to understand how to better herself.
alcanzar(
ahl
-
kahn
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to get to)
c. to catch up with
Los alcancé justo antes de que se fueran.I caught up with them just before they left.
2. (to rise to)
a. to reach
La temperatura alcanzó los 42ºC el fin de semana.The temperature reached 42ºC over the weekend.
a. to achieve
No alcanzaron la meta que se habían propuesto.They didn't achieve the goal they had set themselves.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be enough
No alcanzan los fondos para seguir apoyando el proyecto.There isn't enough funding to continue supporting the project.
