勝る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 勝る is an intransitive godan verb read まさる, meaning to surpass or be superior to a comparison target.
• Basic usage: The target takes に, and the criterion can take では, as in 軽さでは旧型に勝る.
  • この素材は軽さでは旧型に勝る。 says that this material surpasses the old model in lightness; 経験に勝る学びはないと彼は語った。 describes him saying that no form of learning surpasses experience.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 旧型に勝る
  • に marks the target against which superiority is judged.
• 軽さでは
  • では limits the comparison criterion to lightness.
• に勝る…はない
  • This pattern says that nothing in the stated category surpasses the comparison target.