凌ぐ
しのぐ·shinogu
Meaning
to surpass; to outdo; to excel; to endure; to weather; to survive
Nuance & Usage
凌ぐ has two distinct but related meanings: (1) to surpass or outdo — to exceed something in degree or quality: 想像を凌ぐ (to surpass imagination), 師を凌ぐ (to surpass one's master); (2) to endure or weather hardship: 困難を凌ぐ (to endure hardship), 猛暑を凌ぐ (to survive the intense heat). Both meanings share the idea of overcoming or exceeding something that stands before you. The word appears frequently in literary, historical, and sports contexts. 凌駕する (ryouga suru — to surpass/dominate) is a more formal compound form.
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 凌ぐ with 超える (koeru — to exceed/surpass, neutral and general), 乗り越える (norikoeru — to overcome, often hardship), and 勝る (masaru — to surpass/be superior to). 凌ぐ has a more dramatic, often literary tone — the image of pushing through or rising above something overwhelming. 凌ぐほど (to such a degree as to surpass) is a useful intensifier. Don't confuse 凌ぐ (to surpass/endure) with 忍ぶ (shinobu — to endure secretly, to conceal), which has a different kanji.
Example Sentences (3)
彼の実力は、いつしか指導者さえ凌ぐほどになっていた。
かれのじつりょくは、いつしかしどうしゃさえしのぐほどになっていた。
Before long, his ability had grown to the point of surpassing even his mentor.
猛暑を凌ぐために、様々な工夫が各地で施されている。
もうしょをしのぐために、さまざまなくふうがかくちでほどこされている。
Various measures are being implemented across the country to survive the intense heat.
その新興企業の成長は、業界大手を凌ぐ勢いで続いている。
そのしんこうきぎょうのせいちょうは、ぎょうかいおおてをしのぐいきおいでつづいている。
The growth of that emerging company continues at a pace that surpasses the industry leaders.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N14 questionsTest your knowledge of 凌ぐ with 4 different question types.
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