わたる in 30 Sekunden
- わたる (wataru) means to cross.
- Used for physical crossings like streets, rivers, bridges.
- Can also mean to extend over an area or time.
- Common pattern: [Place] を わたる.
- Physical Crossing
- Used when moving over a physical obstacle or area. For example, crossing a street (道をわたる - michi o wataru), crossing a bridge (橋をわたる - hashi o wataru), or crossing a river (川をわたる - kawa o wataru).
- Figurative Crossing
- Can refer to crossing boundaries, borders, or moving from one state to another. For instance, crossing into another country (国境をわたる - kokkyō o wataru) or crossing over to a new belief system.
- Extension/Spanning
- Describes something extending over a wide area or duration. For example, a disease that spreads across a region (地域にわたる - chiiki ni wataru) or a career that spans many years.
Please be careful when you わたる the street.
The new bridge will allow people to わたる the river easily.
- Basic Structure: Noun + を + わたる
- This is the most frequent and straightforward usage. It directly indicates the path or object being traversed.
Here, we need to わたる the busy road.
They decided to わたる the bridge to get to the other side.
- Figurative Use: Extending Over
- Sometimes, わたる is used with particles like に (ni) or まで (made) to indicate a scope or extent. For example, 'A to B にわたる (A to B ni wataru)' means 'spanning from A to B', or '広範囲にわたる (kōhan'i ni wataru)' means 'covering a wide area'.
The project will わたる across several departments.
Her career has わたる many years in the industry.
- Daily Conversations
- Friends might say, "Let's meet on the other side of the station. You need to わたる the main street." Or, "Be careful, that river is deep, so don't try to わたる it on foot."
- Travel and Directions
- When asking for directions, you might hear: "After you わたる the bridge, turn left." Or, "To get to the island, you have to わたる the sea by ferry."
- News and Documentaries
- Reporting on events like floods or natural disasters, news anchors might say, "The rising water prevented people from わたる the affected areas." Documentaries about history or geography often describe how ancient peoples or explorers had to わたる difficult terrains.
The reporter explained how difficult it was to わたる the damaged bridge.
Children are often told to look both ways before they わたる the street.
- Confusing with 行く (iku)
- Mistake: "I will 行く the bridge." (橋を行く - hashi o iku).
Correction: "I will わたる the bridge." (橋をわたる - hashi o wataru).
Explanation: 行く means 'to go' in a general sense. わたる specifically means 'to cross' something.
- Confusing with 渡す (watasu)
- Mistake: "I will 渡す the river." (川を渡す - kawa o watasu).
Correction: "I will わたる the river." (川をわたる - kawa o wataru).
Explanation: 渡す means 'to hand over' or 'to ferry someone across'. わたる is for the action of crossing yourself.
- Incorrect Particle Usage
- Mistake: "I will わたる on the street." (道にわたる - michi ni wataru).
Correction: "I will わたる the street." (道をわたる - michi o wataru).
Explanation: For physical crossings, the direct object particle 'を (o)' is typically used to mark what is being crossed.
Incorrect: I will go the river. (川を行く - kawa o iku)
Correct: I will cross the river. (川をわたる - kawa o wataru)
- 渡す (watasu)
- Meaning: To hand over, to pass, to ferry someone across.
Difference: 渡す is transitive and usually involves you giving something to someone else, or transporting another person or thing across an obstacle. For example, "I handed the book to him" (本を彼に渡した - hon o kare ni watashita) or "The ferry will take us across the river" (渡し舟が川を渡してくれる - watashibune ga kawa o watashite kureru).
Example: 先生は学生に宿題を渡した。(Sensei wa gakusei ni shukudai o watashita.) - The teacher handed the homework to the students.
- 越える (koeru)
- Meaning: To cross over, to go beyond, to exceed, to overcome.
Difference: While 越える can mean to cross, it often implies going *beyond* a boundary, limit, or obstacle, or exceeding a certain standard. It's more about surpassing something. For example, "to cross the mountain" (山を越える - yama o koeru) implies going over the mountain, often a significant challenge. It's also used for exceeding expectations (期待を超える - kitai o koeru).
Example: その峠を越えると、故郷が見える。(Sono tōge o koeru to, kokyō ga mieru.) - Once you cross that mountain pass, you can see your hometown.
- 通り抜ける (tōrinukeru)
- Meaning: To pass through, to go through.
Difference: This verb emphasizes going through something, often from one side to the other, but it can also imply passing through an area without stopping or by using it as a shortcut. It's less about the act of crossing a specific boundary and more about traversing a space.
Example: この道は公園を通り抜ける。(Kono michi wa kōen o tōrinukeru.) - This road goes through the park.
- 横断する (ōdan suru)
- Meaning: To cross (specifically roads, railways, etc.).
Difference: This is a more formal and specific term, often used for crossing roads or railway tracks. It's very close in meaning to わたる when referring to streets.
Example: 横断歩道で横断してください。(Ōdan hodō de ōdan shite kudasai.) - Please cross at the pedestrian crossing.
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The kanji 渡 itself is composed of the radical 'water' (氵) and 'turn/cross' (厃), visually suggesting the act of crossing water. This makes the character quite intuitive for its meaning.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the 'r' sound too strongly like in English 'r'. The Japanese 'r' is a flap sound.
- Making the final 'u' sound too prominent. It's often very light and can be almost silent.
- Incorrectly stressing the first syllable.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
At the A2 level, reading passages involving わたる will typically focus on simple descriptions of crossing streets, bridges, or rivers. Sentences will be straightforward, and the context will clearly indicate the meaning. More abstract or figurative uses might appear in slightly more complex texts, but the core meaning of 'to cross' will remain dominant.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Particle 'を' (o) for direct objects of transitive verbs and for marking paths of movement.
道を渡る (michi o wataru) - to cross the street. Here, 'を' marks the street as the path being crossed.
The '-te' form of verbs for connecting clauses or indicating sequence.
橋を渡って、右に曲がる。(Hashi o watatte, migi ni magaru.) - Cross the bridge, then turn right.
The potential form of verbs (e.g., わたれる - watareru).
この川は歩いて渡れる。(Kono kawa wa aruite watareru.) - This river can be crossed by walking.
The conditional form '-tara' (たら).
信号が青に変わったら渡りましょう。(Shingō ga ao ni kawattara watarimashō.) - When the light turns green, let's cross.
The use of 'にわたる' for indicating scope or extent.
数 多くの 国に渡る影響。(Kazu ōku no kuni ni wataru eikyō.) - Influence that extends to many countries.
Beispiele nach Niveau
道を渡ります。
I will cross the street.
The particle を (o) indicates the object being crossed.
橋を渡りました。
I crossed the bridge.
The past tense of わたる is わたった (watatta).
川を渡ってください。
Please cross the river.
The imperative form is used to give a request.
あちらに渡りましょう。
Let's cross over there.
ましょう (mashō) is used to suggest an action.
危ないから、渡らないでください。
Because it's dangerous, please don't cross.
～ないでください (naide kudasai) is used for negative requests.
信号が青になったら渡りましょう。
When the light turns green, let's cross.
～たら (tara) is a conditional form meaning 'if' or 'when'.
ここから渡れますか？
Can I cross from here?
～れますか (remasu ka) is the potential form asking about ability.
海を渡って行きました。
I crossed the sea and went.
The て-form (わたって - watatte) connects actions.
あの交差点を右に渡ってください。
Please cross to the right at that intersection.
Particles like に (ni) can indicate direction or destination in combination with crossing.
この橋は古いので、渡る時は注意が必要です。
This bridge is old, so caution is necessary when crossing.
～時 (toki) means 'when', indicating a specific time of action.
まだ暗かったので、道を渡るのが怖かった。
It was still dark, so I was afraid to cross the street.
～のが怖い (no ga kowai) expresses fear of doing something.
この線路を無断で渡ると危ないです。
It is dangerous to cross this railway line without permission.
無断で (mudan de) means 'without permission'.
その国に渡るためには、飛行機に乗る必要がある。
To cross to that country, it is necessary to take a plane.
～ためには (tame ni wa) means 'in order to'.
この川は夏になると浅くなって、歩いて渡れるようになる。
This river becomes shallow in the summer, and it becomes possible to cross it by walking.
～ようになる (yō ni naru) means 'to become able to'.
地図を見て、道を渡る場所を確認した。
Looking at the map, I confirmed the place to cross the street.
～場所 (basho) refers to a 'place'.
この工事の関係で、橋を渡ることができない。
Due to this construction, it is not possible to cross the bridge.
～ことができない (koto ga dekinai) means 'cannot do'.
その地域には広範囲にわたる 被害が出ている。
Damage extending over a wide area is occurring in that region.
広範囲にわたる (kōhan'i ni wataru) means 'to extend over a wide area'.
この問題は、世代を渡って議論されてきた。
This issue has been debated across generations.
世代をわたって (sedai o watatte) means 'across generations'.
彼は長年の夢を叶えるため、故郷を離れて海を渡った。
To fulfill his long-held dream, he left his hometown and crossed the sea.
海を渡る (umi o wataru) is a common idiom for undertaking a significant journey overseas.
その新技術は、科学と芸術の境界を渡るものだ。
That new technology crosses the boundary between science and art.
境界を渡る (kyōkai o wataru) means 'to cross boundaries'.
この計画は、数十年にわたる 時間を要する。
This plan will require decades to complete.
～にわたる (ni wataru) can indicate a duration or extent.
彼の意見は、当初の反対を渡って、次第に支持を得ていった。
His opinion, overcoming initial opposition, gradually gained support.
反対を渡って (hantai o watatte) implies overcoming opposition.
この地域は国境を渡った場所にあるため、独特の文化を持っている。
Because this region is located in a place that crosses the border, it has a unique culture.
国境を渡った場所 (kokkyō o watatta basho) refers to a place that has crossed the border.
その噂は、町の中を渡り歩いた。
That rumor spread throughout the town.
渡り歩く (wataruaruku) can mean to travel around or spread.
この問題の解決には、長年にわたる 努力が不可欠である。
Decades of effort are indispensable for the resolution of this problem.
長年にわたる (nagane n ni wataru) emphasizes a prolonged period of effort.
彼の哲学は、西洋と東洋の思想を融合させ、新しい地平を渡るものである。
His philosophy fuses Western and Eastern thought, opening up new horizons.
新しい地平を渡る (atarashii chihei o wataru) is a metaphorical expression for creating new understanding.
その芸術家は、伝統と革新の間を巧みに渡り、独創的な作品を生み出す。
The artist skillfully bridges tradition and innovation, creating original works.
伝統と革新の間を巧みに渡り (dentō to kakushin no aida o takumi ni watari) means to skillfully navigate between tradition and innovation.
この政治的 状況は、国家の安定を脅かす深刻な危機を渡っている。
This political situation is crossing a serious crisis that threatens the nation's stability.
危機を渡っている (kiki o watatte iru) implies being in the midst of a crisis.
彼らは長い歴史を渡り、今ようやく和解への道を見つけた。
They have journeyed through a long history and finally found a path to reconciliation.
長い歴史を渡り (nagai rekishi o watari) evokes a sense of traversing through historical periods.
その経済 政策は、短期の困難を渡り越え、長期 的な成長を目指す。
That economic policy aims for long-term growth by overcoming short-term difficulties.
困難を渡り越え (konnan o watarikoe) combines crossing and overcoming difficulties.
この研究は、既存の知識の枠を渡り、新しい理論を提示する。
This research crosses the boundaries of existing knowledge and presents a new theory.
枠を渡り (waku o watari) suggests moving beyond established frameworks.
彼女の人生は、数多の困難を渡り越え、今日に至る。
Her life has overcome numerous difficulties to reach today.
困難を渡り越え (konnan o watarikoe) emphasizes overcoming significant challenges throughout life.
その芸術 運動は、時代の制約を渡り越え、普遍 的な価値を獲得した。
That art movement transcended the constraints of its era, acquiring universal value.
時代(の)制約を渡り越え (jidai (no) seiyaku o watarikoe) means to transcend the limitations of an era.
彼の文学 作品は、個人の内面と社会の構造の間を繊細に渡り、人間 的 存在の深淵を覗き込む。
His literary works delicately traverse the space between the individual's inner world and societal structures, peering into the abyss of human existence.
間を繊細に渡り (aida o sensai ni watari) implies a delicate navigation between two complex realms.
その外交 交渉は、国家 間の長年の対立を渡り越え、前例のない協力への道を拓いた。
The diplomatic negotiations transcended years of conflict between nations, paving the way for unprecedented cooperation.
長年の対立を渡り越え (nagane n no tairitsu o watarikoe) signifies overcoming deep-seated historical conflicts.
この思索は、既成の概念の枠を渡り、存在 的 意味の深淵へと誘う。
This contemplation transcends the framework of established concepts, inviting us into the abyss of existential meaning.
枠を渡り (waku o watari) implies venturing beyond established conceptual boundaries.
彼らの関係は、幾多の誤解と葛藤を渡り越え、今日では揺るぎない絆となっている。
Their relationship, having overcome numerous misunderstandings and conflicts, has become an unshakeable bond today.
誤解と葛藤を渡り越え (gokai to kattō o watarikoe) signifies overcoming past relational difficulties.
その理論は、学問の分野を越えて、社会 全体に影響を与える波紋を渡っている。
That theory is creating ripples that extend beyond academic fields, impacting society as a whole.
波紋を渡っている (hamon o watatte iru) suggests creating widespread influence.
彼の言葉は、世代の壁を渡り、若者にも深く共感された。
His words transcended the generational divide, resonating deeply with young people as well.
世代の壁を渡り (sedai no kabe o watari) implies bridging the gap between different generations.
その文化は、時空の制約を渡り越え、現代 人にも影響を与え続けている。
That culture transcends the constraints of time and space, continuing to influence modern people.
時空の制約を渡り越え (jikū no seiyaku o watarikoe) means transcending limitations of time and space.
この芸術 作品は、形式の制約を渡り越え、観る者の深層 心理に直接 訴えかける。
This work of art transcends formal constraints, directly appealing to the viewer's subconscious.
形式の制約を渡り越え (keishiki no seiyaku o watarikoe) implies moving beyond the limitations of artistic form.
彼の思想は、既存のパラダイムの壁を渡り越え、新たな知の地平を開いた。
His thought transcended the walls of existing paradigms, opening up new intellectual horizons.
パラダイムの壁を渡り越え (paradaimu no kabe o watarikoe) signifies breaking through established thought systems.
その物語は、時間と空間の制約を渡り、読む者の心に永遠の共鳴を呼び起こす。
That story transcends the limitations of time and space, evoking eternal resonance in the reader's heart.
時間と空間の制約を渡り (jikan to kūkan no seiyaku o watari) implies transcending the boundaries of existence.
彼の人生は、数多の逆境と葛藤を渡り越え、最終 的に自己 実現という高みへ到達した。
His life, having overcome numerous adversities and conflicts, ultimately reached the pinnacle of self-realization.
逆境と葛藤を渡り越え (gyakkyō to kattō o watarikoe) signifies overcoming profound life challenges.
その思想は、文化や言語の壁を渡り、人類 全体の共有 財となる可能性を秘めている。
That ideology holds the potential to become a shared asset for all humanity, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.
文化や言語の壁を渡り (bunka ya gengo no kabe o watari) implies bridging cultural and linguistic divides.
この芸術 運動は、既存の価値 体系を揺るがし、新たな美学の地平を渡る試みであった。
This art movement shook the existing value system, an attempt to traverse into new aesthetic horizons.
美学の地平を渡る (bigaku no chihei o wataru) signifies exploring new aesthetic frontiers.
彼の作品は、時代の変遷を渡り越え、今日においても強い感銘を与える。
His works transcend the changes of eras, continuing to provide profound inspiration even today.
時代の変遷を渡り越え (jidai no hensen o watarikoe) means to transcend the flow of time and its changes.
その概念は、科学と宗教の溝を埋め、両者の架け橋となる可能性を秘めている。
That concept bridges the gap between science and religion, holding the potential to become a bridge between the two.
溝を埋め、架け橋となる (mizo o ume, kakehashi to naru) is a metaphorical way of expressing bridging divides, where 渡る (wataru) is implied in the concept of a bridge.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— To cross the street.
信号が青(あお)になったら道(みち)を渡(わた)りましょう。(Shingō ga ao ni nattara michi o watarimashō.) - Let's cross the street when the light turns green.
— To cross the bridge.
あの橋(はし)を渡(わた)ると公園(こうえん)です。(Ano hashi o wataru to kōen desu.) - If you cross that bridge, it's a park.
— To cross the river.
ボートで川(かわ)を渡(わた)りました。(Bōto de kawa o watarimashita.) - I crossed the river by boat.
— To cross the sea (often implies a long journey).
遠(とお)い国(くに)へ海(うみ)を渡(わた)った。(Tōi kuni e umi o watatta.) - I crossed the sea to a faraway country.
— To cross the border.
正規(せいき)の手続き(てつづき)なしに国境(こっきょう)を渡(わた)ると問題(もんだい)になる。(Seiki no tetsuzuki nashi ni kokkyō o wataru to mondai ni naru.) - Crossing the border without proper procedures causes problems.
— To span generations, to be passed down through generations.
この習慣(しゅうかん)は世代(せだい)を渡(わた)って続(つづ)いている。(Kono shūkan wa sedai o watatte tsuzuite iru.) - This custom continues, spanning generations.
— To extend over a wide area.
台風(たいふう)の影響(えいきょう)は広範囲(こうはんい)に渡(わた)った。(Taifū no eikyō wa kōhan'i ni watatta.) - The typhoon's impact extended over a wide area.
— Spanning several years.
数年(すうねん)に渡(わた)る計画(けいかく)が始(はじ)まった。(Sūnen ni wataru keikaku ga hajimatta.) - A plan spanning several years has begun.
— To cross boundaries (figurative).
芸術は国境(こっきょう)を渡(わた)る。(Geijutsu wa kokkyō o wataru.) - Art crosses national borders.
— To travel through time (figurative).
この小説(しょうせつ)は時(とき)を渡(わた)る物語(ものがたり)だ。(Kono shōsetsu wa toki o wataru monogatari da.) - This novel is a story that travels through time.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
渡す means 'to hand over' or 'to ferry someone across'. It's transitive, meaning you are giving something or transporting someone. わたる is intransitive, where you are doing the crossing yourself. For example, you 'wataru' a river, but you 'watasu' a passenger across the river.
越える means 'to cross over', 'to go beyond', or 'to exceed'. While it can mean to cross, it often implies overcoming a barrier or limit, or going past a point. わたる is more about the act of traversing from one side to another.
行く means 'to go' in a general sense. わたる specifically means 'to cross' something. Saying '道をいく' (michi o iku) means 'to go on the street', not necessarily 'to cross it'.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To go abroad, to cross the sea. This idiom emphasizes a significant journey, often for study, work, or adventure, that involves crossing a large body of water.
多くの若者(わかもの)が海(うみ)を渡(わた)って留学(りゅうがく)した。(Ōku no wakamono ga umi o watatte ryūgaku shita.) - Many young people went abroad to study.
Neutral— Literally 'to build a bridge', but figuratively it means to create a connection or understanding between people, groups, or ideas. While not directly using 'wataru', the concept of bridging is related.
文化交流(こうりゅう)は国家(こっか) 間(かん)の架(か)け橋(はし)となる。(Bunka kōryū wa kokka kan no kakehashi to naru.) - Cultural exchange becomes a bridge between nations.
Figurative— To travel through time. This idiom is very similar in concept to the figurative '時をわたる' (toki o wataru) but uses a different verb for 'to do/run'. It's common in science fiction.
その映画(えいが)は時(とき)を駆(か)ける冒険(ぼうけん)だ。(Sono eiga wa toki o kakeru bōken da.) - That movie is a time-traveling adventure.
Figurative/Literary— To cross a line, to go too far. This idiom uses 越える (koeru) but conveys a similar idea to crossing a boundary that should not be crossed.
彼の言動(げんどう)は常識(じょうしき)の一線(いっせん)を越(こ)えている。(Kare no gendō wa jōshiki no issen o koete iru.) - His words and actions have crossed the line of common sense.
Figurative— To ride the waves, to go with the flow. While not directly related to crossing, it implies adapting to circumstances, which can sometimes involve moving with the current.
トレンドに乗(の)って成功(せいこう)した。(Torendo ni notte seikō shita.) - He succeeded by riding the trend.
Figurative— To make one's way in the world, to navigate society. This idiom uses わたる in a figurative sense of moving through the complexities of social life.
世間(せけん)を渡(わた)るには経験(けいけん)が必要(ひつよう)だ。(Seken o wataru ni wa keiken ga hitsuyō da.) - Experience is necessary to navigate the world.
Figurative— This phrase is nonsensical in standard Japanese. It might appear in creative writing or as a misunderstanding.
This phrase is not a standard idiom.
N/A— To cross over a mountain, to overcome a difficult challenge. Uses 越える but shares the concept of overcoming an obstacle.
この困難(こんなん)を山(やま)のように越(こ)えていこう。(Kono konnan o yama no yō ni koete ikō.) - Let's overcome this difficulty like crossing a mountain.
Figurative— To stop something at the water's edge, to prevent it from spreading further. This implies a boundary, like the edge of water, where action is taken.
感染(かんせん)を水際(みずぎわ)で食(く)い止(と)める。(Kansen o mizugiwa de kuitsukeru.) - To stop the infection at the water's edge.
Figurative— To cross a bridge. This is the literal and most common usage.
夕暮(ゆうぐ)れ時(どき)に橋(はし)を渡(わた)る。(Yūgure doki ni hashi o wataru.) - To cross a bridge at dusk.
LiteralLeicht verwechselbar
Both verbs involve the kanji 渡 and relate to movement across or passing.
わたる (wataru) is intransitive and means 'to cross' (e.g., I cross the bridge). 渡す (watasu) is transitive and means 'to hand over' (e.g., I hand over the book) or 'to ferry someone across' (e.g., I ferry him across the river). The key difference is who is performing the action of crossing and whether an object is being passed.
私は<ruby>橋<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る。(Watashi wa hashi o wataru.) - I cross the bridge. (Intransitive, I am crossing) 彼は<ruby>私<rp>(</rp><rt>わたし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>本<rp>(</rp><rt>ほん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。(Kare wa watashi ni hon o watashita.) - He handed me the book. (Transitive, he is passing the book.)
Both verbs can be translated as 'to cross' or 'to go over' in certain contexts.
わたる (wataru) typically refers to the act of traversing from one side to another, like crossing a street or a river. 越える (koeru) implies going beyond a limit, boundary, or obstacle, or exceeding a standard. It often suggests overcoming something difficult. While one might 'wataru' a small stream, one would 'koeru' a mountain.
この<ruby>小<rp>(</rp><rt>ちい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>さな<ruby>川<rp>(</rp><rt>かわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>歩<rp>(</rp><rt>ある</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>いて<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>れる。(Kono chīsana kawa wa aruite watareru.) - This small river can be crossed by walking. (Physical traversal) <ruby>山<rp>(</rp><rt>やま</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>越<rp>(</rp><rt>こ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>えるのは<ruby>大変<rp>(</rp><rt>たいへん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。(Yama o koeru no wa taihen da.) - Crossing the mountain is difficult. (Implies overcoming an obstacle)
Both are used for crossing roads.
わたる (wataru) is a general verb for crossing and can be used in many situations. 横断する (ōdan suru) is more formal and specifically used for crossing roads, railways, or sometimes rivers. In casual conversation about crossing a street, わたる is more common. 横断する is often seen on signs or in official instructions.
<ruby>横断歩道<rp>(</rp><rt>おうだんほどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で<ruby>道<rp>(</rp><rt>みち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>横断<rp>(</rp><rt>おうだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>してください。(Ōdan hodō de michi o ōdan shite kudasai.) - Please cross the street at the pedestrian crossing. (Formal) <ruby>信号<rp>(</rp><rt>しんごう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>青<rp>(</rp><rt>あお</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>になったら<ruby>道<rp>(</rp><rt>みち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>りましょう。(Shingō ga ao ni nattara michi o watarimashō.) - Let's cross the street when the light turns green. (Neutral/Casual)
Both involve movement from one side to another.
わたる (wataru) means to cross, focusing on traversing from one side to the other. 通り抜ける (tōrinukeru) means to pass through, often implying going through an area without stopping or using it as a shortcut. You might 'wataru' a bridge, but you 'tōrinukeru' a park to get to the other side faster.
この<ruby>道<rp>(</rp><rt>みち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>公園<rp>(</rp><rt>こうえん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>通<rp>(</rp><rt>とお</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>り<ruby>抜<rp>(</rp><rt>ぬ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ける。(Kono michi wa kōen o tōrinukeru.) - This road passes through the park. (Goes through) <ruby>橋<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>って<ruby>向<rp>(</rp><rt>む</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>こう<ruby>側<rp>(</rp><rt>がわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>へ<ruby>行<rp>(</rp><rt>い</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>く。(Hashi o watatte mukō gawa e iku.) - I will go to the other side by crossing the bridge. (Focus on crossing)
Related to bridges and crossing.
わたる (wataru) is an action verb meaning 'to cross'. 架かる (kakaru) is a verb meaning 'to be built over', 'to span', or 'to hang'. It describes the state of something that is already in place for crossing, like a bridge. You 'wataru' a bridge that 'kakaru's over a river.
<ruby>川<rp>(</rp><rt>かわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>大<rp>(</rp><rt>おお</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>きな<ruby>橋<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>架<rp>(</rp><rt>か</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>かっている。(Kawa ni ōkina hashi ga kakatte iru.) - A large bridge is spanning the river. (State of the bridge) <ruby>私<rp>(</rp><rt>わたし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>その<rp>(</rp><rt>その</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> <ruby>橋<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る。(Watashi wa sono hashi o wataru.) - I will cross that bridge. (Action of crossing)
Satzmuster
[Noun] + を + わたる。
道を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ります。(Michi o watarimasu.) - I will cross the street.
[Noun] + を + わたった。
橋を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>った。(Hashi o watatta.) - I crossed the bridge.
[Noun] + を + わたる + 時/時々。
道<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る<ruby>時<rp>(</rp><rt>とき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>注意<rp>(</rp><rt>ちゅうい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>してね。(Michi wataru toki wa chūi shite ne.) - Be careful when crossing the street.
[Noun] + に + わたる。
<ruby>数年<rp>(</rp><rt>すうねん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る。(Sūnen ni wataru.) - Spanning several years.
[Noun] + を + わたって + [Noun/Verb]。
<ruby>広範囲<rp>(</rp><rt>こうはんい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>って<ruby>影響<rp>(</rp><rt>えいきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。(Kōhan'i ni watatte eikyō shita.) - It had an influence over a wide area.
[Noun] + を + 渡り + [Verb]。
<ruby>世代<rp>(</rp><rt>せだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>り<ruby>継<rp>(</rp><rt>つ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ぐ。(Sedai o watari tsugu.) - To pass down through generations.
[Abstract Noun] + を + 渡る。
<ruby>境界<rp>(</rp><rt>きょうかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る。(Kyōkai o wataru.) - To cross boundaries.
[Noun] + を + 渡り<ruby>越<rp>(</rp><rt>こ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>える。
<ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>り<ruby>越<rp>(</rp><rt>こ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>える。(Konnan o watarikōeru.) - To overcome difficulties.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Very High (common in everyday speech and writing)
-
Using 行く (iku - to go) instead of わたる (wataru) for crossing.
→
道を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る (michi o wataru).
行く means 'to go' in a general sense. わたる specifically means 'to cross' something. Saying '道をいく' (michi o iku) means 'to go along the street', not 'to cross it'.
-
Using 渡す (watasu - to hand over) when meaning to cross.
→
川を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る (kawa o wataru).
渡す is transitive (to hand over/ferry someone). わたる is intransitive (to cross oneself). You わたる a river, but you 渡す a person across the river.
-
Using the wrong particle, e.g., '道にわたる' (michi ni wataru) instead of '道をわたる' (michi o wataru).
→
道を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る (michi o wataru).
For physical crossings, the particle 'を' (o) is typically used to mark the direct object or the path of movement. 'に' might be used in other contexts, but not usually for the direct object of crossing.
-
Confusing the figurative meaning of 'spanning' with 'crossing'.
→
数年に<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る (sūnen ni wataru).
While わたる itself means 'to cross', the structure 'Noun + に + わたる' means 'to span' or 'to extend over' (time or area). It's important to recognize this grammatical pattern.
-
Using 越える (koeru) for simple crossings when わたる is more appropriate.
→
橋を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る (hashi o wataru).
越える implies overcoming an obstacle or going beyond a limit. For simply traversing a bridge or street, わたる is the more common and natural choice. 越える is better for 'crossing a mountain' or 'exceeding expectations'.
Tipps
Particle 'を' is Key
For most physical crossings, the particle 'を' (o) is used to mark what you are crossing. Think of it as marking the path or the object you are traversing. For example: 道をわたる (michi o wataru - to cross the street).
Visualize the Action
When learning わたる, picture yourself physically crossing something – a bridge, a street, a river. The visual memory of the action will help you recall the word and its meaning.
Physical vs. Figurative
Remember that わたる has both literal (crossing a street) and figurative (spanning generations, crossing boundaries) meanings. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.
The 'R' Sound
The Japanese 'r' sound in わたる is a flap, similar to the 'dd' in 'ladder' in American English. It's not the strong English 'r'. Practice this sound to sound more natural.
Verb Conjugations
Like other verbs, わたる can be conjugated into different tenses and forms: わたる (present), わたった (past), わたらない (negative), わたれます (potential), etc. Practice using these forms in sentences.
Related Nouns
Learning nouns associated with crossing, such as 橋 (hashi - bridge), 川 (kawa - river), 道 (michi - street), and 海 (umi - sea), will greatly help you use わたる effectively.
Sentence Building
Try creating your own sentences using わたる in different contexts. Start with simple physical crossings and gradually move to more abstract uses.
わたる vs. 渡す
Remember the difference: わたる is 'to cross' (intransitive), while 渡す is 'to hand over' or 'to ferry across' (transitive). This distinction is crucial for correct usage.
Beyond Simple Crossing
When わたる is used with particles like 'に' or 'をわたって', it often implies extent or duration, meaning 'spanning' or 'covering'. For example, 数年にわたって (sūnen ni watatte - spanning several years).
Bridges and Journeys
In Japanese culture, bridges are often symbols of connection and overcoming obstacles. Journeys involving crossing water (like 海をわたる - umi o wataru) are common themes in stories and represent significant undertakings.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a 'water' (wa) turtle (tāru) slowly crossing a river. The 'water' sound links to the meaning, and the turtle's slow, deliberate movement across the river represents the act of crossing.
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture yourself standing on one side of a wide, majestic river. You see a long, sturdy bridge stretching across to the other side. The act of walking across that bridge is 'wataru'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to describe five different ways you might 'wataru' in your daily life, using the verb in a sentence for each. For example, 'I will wataru the street to buy bread.'
Wortherkunft
The verb わたる (wataru) originates from Old Japanese. Its kanji form 渡 comes from the character meaning 'to ferry across' or 'to cross'. The character itself depicts a boat crossing water.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning was likely tied to the physical act of crossing bodies of water, such as rivers or straits, often with the aid of a ferry or boat.
JaponicKultureller Kontext
When discussing crossing borders, it's important to be mindful of the sensitivities surrounding immigration and national borders. The act of crossing can have different implications depending on the context and the individuals involved.
In English-speaking cultures, crossing is also a fundamental concept, seen in phrases like 'crossing the street,' 'crossing borders,' or 'crossing paths.' Bridges are often symbols of connection and progress. The idea of 'crossing over' can also have spiritual connotations, such as crossing over to the afterlife.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Giving directions or asking for directions.
- <ruby>この<rp>(</rp><rt>この</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> <ruby>道<rp>(</rp><rt>みち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>って<ruby>右<rp>(</rp><rt>みぎ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>です。
- <ruby>橋<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ったら<ruby>左<rp>(</rp><rt>ひだり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>です。
- <ruby>駅<rp>(</rp><rt>えき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>向<rp>(</rp><rt>む</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>こう<ruby>側<rp>(</rp><rt>がわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>りたいのですが？
- <ruby>一番<rp>(</rp><rt>いちばん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> <ruby>近<rp>(</rp><rt>ちか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>い<ruby>横断歩道<rp>(</rp><rt>おうだんほどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>どこ<rp>(</rp><rt>どこ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ですか？
Talking about travel and geography.
- <ruby>船<rp>(</rp><rt>ふね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で<ruby>海<rp>(</rp><rt>うみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>りました。
- <ruby>国境<rp>(</rp><rt>こっきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る<ruby>旅<rp>(</rp><rt>たび</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。
- <ruby>山脈<rp>(</rp><rt>さんみゃく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>越<rp>(</rp><rt>こ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>える<ruby>道<rp>(</rp><rt>みち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。
- <ruby>島<rp>(</rp><rt>しま</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>へ<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る<ruby>船<rp>(</rp><rt>ふね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。
Describing events or situations that span a period of time or area.
- <ruby>数年<rp>(</rp><rt>すうねん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る<ruby>計画<rp>(</rp><rt>けいかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。
- <ruby>広範囲<rp>(</rp><rt>こうはんい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る<ruby>被害<rp>(</rp><rt>ひがい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。
- <ruby>世代<rp>(</rp><rt>せだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る<ruby>物語<rp>(</rp><rt>ものがたり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。
- <ruby>数<rp>(</rp><rt>かず</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> <ruby>多<rp>(</rp><rt>おお</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>く<ruby>の<rp>(</rp><rt>の</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> <ruby>地域<rp>(</rp><rt>ちいき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る<ruby>影響<rp>(</rp><rt>えいきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。
Talking about safety precautions.
- <ruby>車<rp>(</rp><rt>くるま</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>注意<rp>(</rp><rt>ちゅうい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>して<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ってね。
- <ruby>暗<rp>(</rp><rt>くら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>いから<ruby>一人<rp>(</rp><rt>ひとり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>らないで。
- <ruby>橋<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>上<rp>(</rp><rt>うえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>滑<rp>(</rp><rt>すべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>りやすいから<ruby>気<rp>(</rp><rt>き</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>をつけて。
- <ruby>信号<rp>(</rp><rt>しんごう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>青<rp>(</rp><rt>あお</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>になるまで<ruby>待<rp>(</rp><rt>ま</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ってね。
Describing abstract concepts like overcoming challenges or transitioning.
- <ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>り<ruby>越<rp>(</rp><rt>こ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>える。
- <ruby>新<rp>(</rp><rt>あら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しい<ruby>時代<rp>(</rp><rt>じだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>へ<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る。
- <ruby>壁<rp>(</rp><rt>かべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>渡<rp>(</rp><rt>わた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>る。
- <ruby>世代<rp>(</rp><rt>せだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>架<rp>(</rp><rt>か</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>け<ruby>橋<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>となる。
Gesprächseinstiege
"Where is the nearest place to cross the river?"
"Have you ever crossed the sea to another country?"
"What's the most interesting bridge you've ever crossed?"
"When you cross the street, do you always look both ways?"
"Do you think it's easy or difficult to cross cultural boundaries?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe a time you had to cross a difficult or dangerous place. What was it like?
Think about a significant transition in your life. How did you 'cross over' into a new phase?
Imagine you could cross time. Where and when would you go, and what would you do?
What are some 'bridges' (connections or understandings) that need to be built in the world today?
Write about a journey you took that involved crossing a large body of water or a significant geographical barrier.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenThe main difference is that わたる (wataru) is intransitive and means 'to cross' (e.g., 'I cross the bridge'). 渡す (watasu) is transitive and means 'to hand over' (e.g., 'I hand over the book') or 'to ferry someone across' (e.g., 'He ferried me across the river'). So, you わたる a river yourself, but you might 渡す someone else across it.
わたる (wataru) is generally used for the physical act of traversing from one side to another, like crossing a street or a bridge. 越える (koeru) implies going beyond a limit, boundary, or obstacle, or exceeding a standard. Think of わたる as 'to cross' and 越える as 'to go over/beyond/exceed'. For example, you わたる a river, but you 越える a mountain or 越える expectations.
For physical crossings, the particle 'を' (o) is most commonly used to indicate the direct object or the path being crossed. For example, 道をわたる (michi o wataru - to cross the street) or 橋をわたる (hashi o wataru - to cross the bridge). For figurative uses indicating extent, 'に' (ni) is often used, as in 広範囲にわたる (kōhan'i ni wataru - covering a wide area).
Yes, わたる can be used figuratively. For example, it can describe something spanning a wide area (広範囲にわたる - kōhan'i ni wataru) or a long period of time (数年にわたる - sūnen ni wataru). It can also refer to crossing boundaries, like generations (世代をわたる - sedai o wataru) or even abstract concepts like art and science.
You would say 国境をわたる (kokkyō o wataru). For example, 多くの人が国境をわたった (Ōku no hito ga kokkyō o watatta - Many people crossed the border).
Yes, it is. You can say 交差点をわたる (kōsaten o wataru - to cross the intersection). However, for very formal instructions, 横断する (ōdan suru) might be used, as in 交差点を横断してください (Kōsaten o ōdan shite kudasai - Please cross the intersection).
The past tense is わたった (watatta). For example, 昨日、橋をわたった (Kinō, hashi o watatta - Yesterday, I crossed the bridge).
渡り鳥 (wataridori) literally means 'crossing bird' and refers to a migratory bird, one that travels across regions or countries with the seasons.
Yes, it can. For example, 線路をわたる (senro o wataru). However, it's generally advised not to cross railway tracks except at designated crossings due to safety reasons, and warnings might use more formal terms like 横断禁止 (ōdan kinshi - no crossing).
While わたる can be used figuratively, for 'crossing over' to a different belief or opinion, phrases like 考えを変える (kanga e o kaeru - to change one's thinking) or 心変わりする (kokoro gawarri suru - to change one's mind/heart) might be more common. However, in a literary context, わたる could be used metaphorically to describe such a transition.
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Summary
The verb わたる (wataru) is your go-to word for 'to cross' in Japanese, whether you're navigating a physical obstacle like a street or a river, or describing something that spans a wide area or a long period. Remember to often use the particle を (o) to indicate what you are crossing.
- わたる (wataru) means to cross.
- Used for physical crossings like streets, rivers, bridges.
- Can also mean to extend over an area or time.
- Common pattern: [Place] を わたる.
Particle 'を' is Key
For most physical crossings, the particle 'を' (o) is used to mark what you are crossing. Think of it as marking the path or the object you are traversing. For example: 道をわたる (michi o wataru - to cross the street).
Visualize the Action
When learning わたる, picture yourself physically crossing something – a bridge, a street, a river. The visual memory of the action will help you recall the word and its meaning.
Physical vs. Figurative
Remember that わたる has both literal (crossing a street) and figurative (spanning generations, crossing boundaries) meanings. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.
The 'R' Sound
The Japanese 'r' sound in わたる is a flap, similar to the 'dd' in 'ladder' in American English. It's not the strong English 'r'. Practice this sound to sound more natural.
Beispiel
橋を渡って公園に行く。
Verwandte Inhalte
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くらい/ぐらい
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宿泊
B1Die Übernachtung in einer Unterkunft wie einem Hotel oder Gästehaus. 'Die Unterbringungskosten sind im Preis enthalten.'
入場料
B1Der Eintrittspreis für ein Museum oder einen Park.
入場券
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冒険
B1Adventure; an exciting or unusual experience.
手頃
B1Preiswert oder von handlicher Größe; angemessen und passend für den Zweck.
〜の後に
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〜の後で
B1Nach der Arbeit gehe ich nach Hause.
飛行場
A2Airport.
航空会社
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