verb

dépasser

overtake · surpass · exceed

Aller plus loin que quelque chose ou quelqu’un, ou faire mieux qu’eux.

The French verb "dépasser" means "to go beyond," "to exceed," "to overtake," or "to surpass." It is a versatile verb used in various contexts.

Main meanings:

To overtake or pass (usually in traffic):
Example: "Dépasse cette voiture" — "Overtake that car."
To exceed a limit, number, or measure:
Example: "Les dépenses dépassent le budget" — "Expenses exceed the budget."
To surpass or go beyond an expectation or threshold:
Example: "Elle a dépassé mes attentes" — "She surpassed my expectations."
Figuratively, it can mean to outgrow or overcome a situation:
Example: "Il a dépassé ses difficultés" — "He overcame his difficulties."

Synonyms and nuances:

"Surpasser": Means "to surpass" in the sense of exceeding in quality, skill, or degree. More formal and used often for abstract contexts (e.g., talents or achievements).
"Excéder": Means "to exceed" and is often used in contexts of numbers, limits, or regulations (similar to "exceed" in English).
"Passer devant": Literally "to pass in front," often used to describe overtaking in traffic, similar to "dépasser," but sometimes less formal.

In summary, "dépasser" is a general verb indicating going beyond something physically, numerically, or metaphorically. Its choice depends on context and the nuance you want to convey.