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"Superar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to overcome", and "exceder" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to exceed". Learn more about the difference between "superar" and "exceder" 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.
exceder(
ehk
-
seh
-
dehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to exceed
La maleta excede las medidas que permite la aerolínea.The suitcase exceeds the dimensions allowed by the airline.
b. to surpass
El niño excede la altura máxima para montar en la atracción.The child surpasses the maximum height for riding the attraction.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to exceed
Si la maleta excede del peso permitido, tendrá que pagar un cargo extra.If the bag exceeds the allowed weight, you'll have to pay an extra charge.
b. to be greater
Los tuits no pueden exceder de 140 caracteres.Tweets cannot be greater than 140 characters.
excederse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to go too far
Pedro se ha excedido en sus comentarios sobre el aspecto de Luisa.Pedro has gone too far in his comments about Luisa's looks.
b. to overstep the mark
Los padres se han excedido en el castigo de su hijo.The parents have overstepped the mark in the punishment of their son.
