超水平 (chāo shuǐ píng) — to exceed one's usual level; to perform beyond normal capability

Definition

Means performing above one's own usual standard (e.g. in a game, exam, or under pressure). Used as an adverbial phrase before or after the verb — not a typical action verb.

verb
to exceed one's usual levelto perform beyond normal capability

Examples

  • 超水平。
    Zhè cì bǐ sài tā chāo shuǐ píng fā huī le.
    He performed beyond his normal level in this competition.
  • 超水平，。
    Tā qī mò kǎo shì chāo shuǐ píng, kǎo le quán bān dì yī.
    She exceeded her usual level on the final exam and got first in the class.
  • ，超水平。
    Zài yā lì xià, tā fǎn ér chāo shuǐ píng le.
    Under pressure, he actually performed beyond his normal level.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

超chāoexceed
水平level
水shuǐwater平pínglevel
偏正Modifier + head

超 expresses going beyond, while 水 and 平 evoke a level, as in a water surface.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
走走zǒurun
Sound part声符shēngfú
召
召zhào超chāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

超 pairs 走, meaning “run,” with 召, which gives the sound.

Open 超 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

水 is a simple drawing of water flowing.

Open 水 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

Open 平 →

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