Translation and Meaning of: 追い越す - oikosu

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 追い越す (おいこす). It appears in everyday situations, animes, and even on traffic signs. But what exactly does it mean? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and practical uses of this word, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively. Whether to expand your vocabulary or to better understand Japanese culture, this guide will help you.

The meaning of 追い越す

The word 追い越す (おいこす) means "to overtake" or "to leave behind". It is used in both physical contexts, such as overtaking a car on the road, and in more abstract situations, like surpassing someone in a competition. The verb carries the idea of movement and overcoming, something that goes beyond simply passing by something or someone.

In traffic, for example, it is common to see signs with the term 追い越し禁止 (おいこしきんし), which means "overtaking prohibited." This usage reinforces the practical application of the word in the daily lives of the Japanese. Additionally, in sports or competitions, 追い越す can describe the moment when one competitor surpasses another, adding a dynamic tone to the narrative.

The origin and writing of 追い越す

The word 追い越す is composed of two kanji: 追 (おい), which means "to chase" or "to follow", and 越 (こす), which can be translated as "to surpass" or "to exceed". Together, they form a verb that literally suggests the action of chasing and going beyond something or someone. This combination of characters helps to understand the essence of the term.

It is worth noting that 追い越す is a verb from group 1 (godan), which means that its conjugation follows a specific pattern. For example, in the past form, it becomes 追い越した (おいこした). Knowing this is useful for those learning to structure sentences in Japanese, especially in contexts where the action has already been completed.

How to efficiently memorize 追い越す

A practical way to reinforce 追い越す is to associate it with everyday situations. Imagine a racing scene where one athlete overtakes another – this mental image can help remember the meaning. Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like "The blue car overtook the red one" (青い車が赤い車を追い越した), using the verb in context.

Additionally, hearing the word in anime or Japanese dramas can reinforce learning. Many sports series, such as "Haikyuu!!" or "Initial D", use 追い越す in competition scenes, making it easier to recognize. Repeating these scenes while paying attention to the dialogue is an effective strategy to internalize the term.

Curiosities about the use of 追い越す

In Japan, the word 追い越す is not limited to traffic or sports. It also appears in expressions like 追い越しざま (おいこしざま), which describes the moment when someone is overtaken. This type of construction shows how the Japanese language creates nuances from a single verb, adapting it to different situations.

Another interesting detail is that 追い越す is more common in informal or narrative contexts, while terms like 通過する (つうかする) can be used in more technical situations. This subtle difference is important for those who want to sound natural when speaking Japanese, avoiding inappropriate vocabulary choices.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 追い越す

• 追い越します - polite form
• 追い越しました - Past
• 追い越す - Simple dictionaries
• 追い越しています - Present progressive

Synonyms and similar words

• 抜く (nuku) - remove, surpass (in a competition)
• 追い抜く (oi nuku) - to overtake, to pass someone who is ahead
• 先を行く (saki o iku) - to move ahead, to be in front in a course or situation
• 上回る (uwamawaru) - surpass, exceed in quantity or quality
• 超える (koeru) - to surpass, to go beyond a limit or barrier (usually in a broader context)

追い越す

Romaji: oikosu
Kana: おいこす
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: pass (ex: car); to surpass; overcome

Meaning in English: to pass (e.g. car);to outdistance;to outstrip

Definition: Overtake other vehicles and keep going.

Example Sentences - (追い越す) oikosu

See below some example sentences:

私は車を追い越すことができます。

Watashi wa kuruma wo oikosu koto ga dekimasu

I can overtake a car.

I can overtake the car.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 車 (kuruma) - noun that means "car" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 追い越す (oikosu) - verb that means "to surpass" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• できます (dekimasu) - verb that means "to be able to" or "to be capable of" in Japanese