superar

Superar is a Spanish verb that primarily means to overcome, to surpass, or to go beyond. It is used to describe getting past difficulties, obstacles, or adverse experiences, as well as exceeding others in performance, quality, or quantity. The verb can also express personal growth, such as improving one’s skills or resilience.

Etymology and grammar: superar comes from Latin superāre, formed with the prefix super- meaning over or above. It is a regular verb of the first conjugation, so its present tense forms follow the standard -ar pattern (for example: yo supero, tú superas, él supera, nosotros superamos, vosotros superáis, ellos superan). The infinitive is followed by direct objects in transitive uses, and its reflexive form, superarse, typically denotes self-improvement or recovery (por ejemplo, superarse a sí mismo, superar una crisis). The gerund is superando and the past participle is superado.

Usage and examples: common constructions include superar un obstáculo, superar una prueba, o superar una crisis. In competitive contexts one can superar a alguien en una comparación o carrera. The noun derivation, superación, denotes the act or process of overcoming and is often used in phrases like superación personal or programas de superación personal.

See also: related concepts include resiliencia and superación de adversidades. The verb is widely used in education, sports, psychology, and everyday language to express moving beyond limits or difficulties.