sorpassare

to overtake

verb sor-pahs-SAH-reh Rare

Also means

to surpass

Usage Note

Sorpassare is the standard verb for overtaking a vehicle on the road (è vietato sorpassare — overtaking is forbidden) and figuratively for surpassing or exceeding (ha sorpassato ogni aspettativa — he surpassed every expectation). It takes avere as auxiliary. The noun sorpasso (an overtaking manoeuvre) is derived from the same root.

Examples

"Non puoi sorpassare in curva."

Natural Translation

You cannot overtake on a bend.

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