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How to Say "to overcome" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to overcome” is “superar” — use this for successfully getting past a difficulty, obstacle, or personal challenge like shyness or a past trauma.

English → Spanish

superar

soo-peh-RAHRsu.peˈɾaɾ

verbB1general
Use this for successfully getting past a difficulty, obstacle, or personal challenge like shyness or a past trauma.
A small, determined figure easily leaping over a tall, smooth stone wall, symbolizing overcoming a difficult obstacle.

Examples

Ella logró superar la timidez y hablar en público.

She managed to overcome her shyness and speak in public.

Necesitamos superar este obstáculo económico para seguir adelante.

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

Le costó mucho tiempo superar la pérdida de su mascota.

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

Direct Use

Unlike 'get over' in English, 'superar' is often used directly before the thing you are overcoming, without needing a preposition like 'de' or 'a'.

Confusing 'Superar' and 'Vencer'

Mistake: “Usando 'vencer' para una enfermedad ('Venció la gripe').”

Correction: Use 'superar' when dealing with internal, personal difficulties or illnesses. 'Vencer' usually implies defeating an opponent or winning a battle.

derrotar

deh-rroh-TAHRderoˈtaɾ

verbB2general
Choose this when you are talking about conquering internal struggles or personal demons, like defeating your own fears.
A colorful illustration of a person climbing out of a dark, shadowy hole into a bright, flowery meadow.

Examples

Tienes que derrotar tus miedos para seguir adelante.

You have to overcome your fears to move forward.

Finalmente, él derrotó su adicción al tabaco.

Finally, he conquered his addiction to tobacco.

remontar

rreh-mohn-TAHRre.monˈtaɾ

verbB1general
Use this when describing a comeback from a losing or difficult situation, like a team turning a game around or recovering from a setback.
A small mountain climber reaching the peak of a steep mountain under a sunny sky.

Examples

El equipo logró remontar el partido en los últimos minutos.

The team managed to make a comeback in the final minutes of the game.

La empresa espera remontar sus pérdidas el próximo trimestre.

The company expects to overcome its losses next quarter.

Es difícil remontar una situación tan negativa.

It is difficult to recover from such a negative situation.

Using 'remontar' with Objects

When you are talking about overcoming a score or a situation, you usually put the thing you are overcoming directly after the verb, like 'remontar el resultado'.

Remontar vs. Subir

Mistake: “Using 'remontar' for going up an elevator.”

Correction: Use 'subir' for simple upward movement. Use 'remontar' when the climb involves effort or overcoming a barrier.

salvar

sal-BARsalˈβaɾ

verbB2general
Employ this when you need to get past a specific obstacle or difficulty that stands in your way.
A small, determined character standing victoriously on the highest peak of a large, jagged mountain obstacle, raising a fist in triumph.

Examples

Tuvo que salvar muchos obstáculos para lograr su sueño.

She had to overcome many obstacles to achieve her dream.

El nuevo puente salva el río, conectando las dos ciudades.

The new bridge crosses (bridges) the river, connecting the two cities.

Salvando las distancias, nuestros problemas son similares.

Bridging the differences (or 'differences aside'), our problems are similar.

apoderar

ah-poh-deh-RARapoðeˈɾaɾ

verbB1general
This is used when an emotion or force takes control of someone, often negatively, like fear or sadness overwhelming a person.
A massive, friendly-looking purple cloud gently wrapping around a small house.

Examples

El miedo se apoderó de él durante el examen.

Fear took over him during the exam.

Los manifestantes se apoderaron del edificio.

The protesters seized the building.

No dejes que el pánico se apodere de la situación.

Don't let panic take over the situation.

Using 'de'

When you use the reflexive form 'apoderarse' to say someone took over something, you must always follow it with the word 'de' (of). Think of it as 'becoming the owner OF'.

Missing the 'de'

Mistake: “Se apoderó el trono.”

Correction: Se apoderó DEL trono.

Superar vs. Derrotar

Learners often confuse 'superar' and 'derrotar'. Remember that 'superar' is for general difficulties and obstacles, while 'derrotar' specifically implies conquering internal struggles or personal demons.

Related Translations

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