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superar

soo-peh-RAHRsu.peˈɾaɾ

to overcome, to get over

Also: to deal with
VerbB1regular ar
A small, determined figure easily leaping over a tall, smooth stone wall, symbolizing overcoming a difficult obstacle.
infinitivesuperar
gerundsuperando
past Participlesuperado

📝 In Action

Ella logró superar la timidez y hablar en público.

B1

She managed to overcome her shyness and speak in public.

Necesitamos superar este obstáculo económico para seguir adelante.

B2

We need to get past this economic obstacle to move forward.

Le costó mucho tiempo superar la pérdida de su mascota.

B1

It took him a long time to get over the loss of his pet.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vencer (to defeat/overcome)
  • sobreponerse (to get over (reflexive))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • superar una crisis – to overcome a crisis
  • superar un miedo – to conquer a fear

to surpass, to exceed

Also: to top
VerbB2regular arneutral/formal
A brightly colored hot air balloon soaring high in the blue sky, clearly positioned far above a much smaller, grounded hot air balloon.
infinitivesuperar
gerundsuperando
past Participlesuperado

📝 In Action

El equipo superó el récord de puntos del año pasado.

B2

The team surpassed last year's point record.

Su actuación superó todas nuestras expectativas.

B2

Her performance exceeded all our expectations.

La demanda de este producto ha superado la oferta disponible.

C1

The demand for this product has exceeded the available supply.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • quedarse corto (to fall short)

Common Collocations

  • superar un límite – to exceed a limit
  • superar en número – to outnumber

to improve oneself, to strive for excellence

Also: to better oneself
VerbB2regular (reflexive) ar
A visual representation of personal growth, showing a small, green seedling standing next to a tall, healthy, fully bloomed sunflower.
infinitivesuperarse
gerundsuperándose
past Participlesuperado

📝 In Action

Ella estudia mucho porque quiere superarse profesionalmente.

B2

She studies a lot because she wants to improve herself professionally.

La clave del éxito es superarse día a día.

C1

The key to success is to better yourself day by day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • superarse a sí mismo – to surpass oneself (one's own previous limits)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedsupera
yosupero
túsuperas
ellos/ellas/ustedessuperan
nosotrossuperamos
vosotrossuperáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedsuperaba
yosuperaba
túsuperabas
ellos/ellas/ustedessuperaban
nosotrossuperábamos
vosotrossuperabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedsuperó
yosuperé
túsuperaste
ellos/ellas/ustedessuperaron
nosotrossuperamos
vosotrossuperasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedsupere
yosupere
túsuperes
ellos/ellas/ustedessuperen
nosotrossuperemos
vosotrossuperéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedsuperara
yosuperara
túsuperaras
ellos/ellas/ustedessuperaran
nosotrossuperáramos
vosotrossuperarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "superar" in Spanish:

to exceed→to overcome→to surpass→to top→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: superar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'superar' in the sense of 'exceeding a number or limit'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
la superación(overcoming, self-improvement (noun)) — Noun
superable(surmountable, able to be overcome) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin prefix *super-* (meaning 'above' or 'over') combined with the verb *parare* (meaning 'to prepare' or 'to procure'). The sense evolved to mean 'to go over or beyond' a limit or obstacle.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: superFrench: surpasser

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'superar' and 'ganar'?

'Ganar' means 'to win' (a game, a prize, or a battle against an opponent). 'Superar' means 'to overcome' a challenge or 'to surpass' a standard. You might 'superar' a fear, but you wouldn't 'ganar' a fear.

Can I use 'superar' when talking about passing a test?

Yes, but it's more common to use 'aprobar' (to pass) for a general test. 'Superar' is better used for particularly difficult or challenging exams or trials, emphasizing the difficulty you overcame.