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A2 verb #2,500 le plus courant 7 min de lecture

渡す

watasu
At the A1 level, 'watasu' is introduced as a simple action verb for classroom and daily life. Learners focus on the basic 'Subject wa Recipient ni Object o watasu' structure. The context is usually handing a pen, a book, or a piece of paper to a classmate or teacher. The focus is on the present and past polite forms (watashimasu, watashimashita). At this stage, students learn that it is a physical action involving hands. They learn to distinguish it from 'ageru' by noting that 'watasu' is just the act of passing, not necessarily a gift. Simple requests like 'Watashete kudasai' (Please hand it to me) are common. The imagery used is two people standing close to each other, with one extending an item to the other. Vocabulary is kept simple, using words like 'hon' (book), 'pen', and 'kami' (paper).
At the A2 level, the usage of 'watasu' expands to more social and transactional contexts. Learners use it to describe shopping (handing over money), eating (passing the salt), and basic office tasks (handing over a memo). The focus shifts to the 'te-form' for making polite requests and connecting actions. Students learn the potential form 'wataseru' to say they can hand something over. They also begin to see 'watasu' in the context of 'giving a present' (purezento o watasu), where the focus is on the moment of the hand-off. Cultural nuances, such as using two hands for important items, are introduced. The distinction between 'watasu' and its intransitive counterpart 'wataru' (to cross) is emphasized to prevent common errors. Examples include handing a ticket to a station employee or a menu to a customer.
At the B1 level, 'watasu' is used in more complex sentence structures and formal environments. Learners are expected to use it in business settings, incorporating humble and honorific patterns like 'o-watashi shimasu' (I will hand it to you). The context broadens to include 'handing over responsibility' or 'passing a baton' in a metaphorical sense, though still primarily physical. Students learn to use 'watasu' with various auxiliary verbs like 'watashite oku' (to hand over in advance) or 'watashite ageru' (to hand over as a favor). The verb is also seen in more diverse media, like news reports or short stories, where it might describe handing over a key to a new house or a certificate at a graduation ceremony. The focus is on accuracy in particle usage and social appropriateness.
At the B2 level, 'watasu' appears in abstract and idiomatic contexts. It is used to describe the transfer of power, the extradition of criminals (hannin-hikiwatashi), or the 'bridging' of ideas. Learners explore the kanji nuances and how 'watasu' functions in compound verbs like 'te-watasu' (to hand over directly). The discussion includes the difference between 'watasu' and 'yuzuru' (to yield/bequeath) in legal or inheritance contexts. Students are expected to handle complex social situations where 'watasu' might be replaced by more specific verbs like 'teishutsu suru' (submit) or 'kenjo suru' (offer). They also learn the use of 'watasu' in literature to create imagery, such as 'building a bridge across a heart' or 'passing through time.' The focus is on nuance, register, and metaphorical extension.
At the C1 level, 'watasu' is analyzed within the broader spectrum of Japanese 'giving and receiving' verbs and its historical development. Learners study its use in classical-leaning or highly formal texts, where it might describe the 'handing over' of a legacy or a traditional art form to a successor. The technical uses in construction (laying cables or bridges) and law (transfer of title) are mastered. Students can distinguish the subtle emotional differences between 'watasu' and its synonyms in high-level literature. They also understand the causative-passive forms and how they function in narratives of obligation. The focus is on stylistic choice—knowing when 'watasu' is too simple and when its simplicity is exactly what is needed for clarity or impact in professional writing.
At the C2 level, mastery of 'watasu' involves a deep understanding of its etymological roots and its role in the Japanese worldview of 'space' and 'boundaries.' The learner can use the verb with poetic precision, utilizing its connection to 'crossing over' to describe life transitions or spiritual passages. They are familiar with archaic uses and how the verb has evolved in modern legal and technical jargon. C2 learners can critique the use of 'watasu' in various translations, noting how it captures or misses the physical immediacy of the Japanese original. They use the verb effortlessly in high-stakes negotiations, academic papers, and creative writing, often employing it in sophisticated metaphors that bridge the gap between the literal and the figurative. The focus is on total linguistic and cultural integration.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

渡す en 30 secondes

  • Watasu is a transitive verb primarily meaning 'to hand over' physical objects like money or papers.
  • It is the active version of 'wataru' (to cross) and can also mean building a bridge across a river.
  • In social contexts, it is neutral and focuses on the logistics of the transfer rather than the gift-giving aspect.
  • Commonly used in business for handing over cards or documents, often requiring the use of both hands for politeness.

The Japanese verb 渡す (わたす - watasu) is a fundamental transitive verb that primarily means 'to hand over,' 'to pass,' or 'to give' something to someone. At its core, the verb describes the physical movement of an object from one person's possession or space into another's. Unlike the verb 'to give' (ageru), which often implies a gift or a favor, watasu is more neutral and focuses on the act of transfer itself. It is the transitive counterpart to the intransitive verb 渡る (わたる - wataru), which means 'to cross' (like crossing a bridge). Therefore, watasu can also mean 'to carry across' or 'to build across' in specific contexts.

Primary Usage
Handing over physical objects like documents, money, or tools.
Transitivity
It is a transitive verb (他動詞), requiring a direct object marked by the particle 'o'.
Spatial Movement
Implies moving something across a boundary, whether that is a physical gap or a social one.

先生に宿題を渡す。

— I hand over the homework to the teacher.

In a broader sense, watasu is used when the transfer is expected or required. For example, when you pay at a shop, you watasu the money to the clerk. When you finish a relay race, you watasu the baton to the next runner. It is less about the emotion of giving and more about the logistics of the hand-off. This makes it an essential verb for daily interactions, business transactions, and social protocols in Japan.

友達にプレゼントを渡しました。

— I handed the present to my friend.
Social Context
Used frequently in service industries when returning change or credit cards.
Physical Action
Often involves extending the arm to bridge the distance between two people.

橋を渡す。

— To build/lay a bridge across (a river).

バトンを次の走者に渡す。

— Pass the baton to the next runner.

名刺を渡すときは両手を使います。

— Use both hands when handing over a business card.

Using 渡す correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and its place in the Japanese hierarchy of giving and receiving. The basic sentence pattern is: [Giver] は [Recipient] に [Object] を 渡す. Because it is a Godan verb (u-verb), its conjugations follow standard patterns: watashimasu (polite), watashite (te-form), watasanai (negative). In business settings, you will often see it in its humble or honorific forms, though the base verb remains common in standard polite speech.

Te-form usage
Used for requests: 'Watanashite kudasai' (Please hand it over).
Potential form
'Wataseru' (Can hand over), often used when discussing availability of documents.
Causative form
'Watasaseru' (Make someone hand over), used in more forceful or organizational contexts.

When you use watasu, you are emphasizing the transition of the item. If you are handing a document to a boss, you might say watashimasu, but if you are emphasizing the 'giving' aspect to a superior, you might shift to sashiageru. However, for the literal physical act of moving the paper from your hand to theirs, watasu is perfectly appropriate. It is also the verb used for 'passing' something at the dinner table, like salt or soy sauce.

お箸を渡してもらえますか？

— Could you pass me the chopsticks?

In more advanced contexts, watasu extends to building things across gaps. To 'lay a bridge' is hashi o watasu. This imagery of connecting two sides is key to understanding the verb's deeper meaning. In legal or formal contexts, it can mean to 'extradite' or 'surrender' a person, as in hannin o watasu (hand over the criminal). This versatility makes it a high-frequency verb across all CEFR levels, starting from simple classroom interactions to complex legal discussions.

You will encounter 渡す in a variety of everyday situations in Japan. One of the most common places is at a reception desk (uketsuke). Whether at a hospital, a hotel, or a gym, the staff will ask you to hand over your ID, insurance card, or membership card. You will hear phrases like 'Hokensho o watashite kudasai' or see signs indicating where to hand in documents.

At the Office
Handing over reports, business cards (meishi), or office supplies.
At School
Teachers asking students to hand in their homework or tests.
In Shops
The exchange of cash, receipts, and purchased goods.

こちらで領収書をお渡しします。

— We will hand you the receipt here.

Another frequent setting is public transportation. While you 'show' (miseru) a pass, you 'hand over' (watasu) a physical ticket to a station attendant if required. In the context of sports, especially relay races (ekiden), the 'watasu' of the sash (tasuki) is a moment of high emotional and physical significance, symbolizing the transfer of effort and responsibility. You will also hear it in movies and dramas during scenes involving ransom money, secret documents, or even the 'handing over' of a bride in a traditional wedding context.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is confusing 渡す (watasu) with its intransitive partner 渡る (wataru). While wataru means 'to cross' (e.g., 'I cross the bridge'), watasu means 'to make something cross' or 'to hand over.' You cannot say 'Michi o watasu' if you mean 'I cross the street'; that would imply you are physically picking up the street and handing it to someone!

Watasu vs. Ageru
'Ageru' is for giving gifts/favors; 'Watasu' is for the physical hand-off.
Particle Errors
Using 'ga' instead of 'o' for the object being handed over.
Confusion with Okuru
'Okuru' (to send) implies distance and a carrier; 'Watasu' implies being in the same space.

❌ 橋を渡す (when you mean 'I cross the bridge')

✅ 橋を渡る (I cross the bridge)

Another mistake is using watasu for digital transfers. While you can 'hand over' a USB drive, you generally don't 'watasu' an email or a digital file; for those, 送る (okuru - to send) or 送信する (soshin suru - to transmit) are more appropriate. Additionally, learners often forget the social weight of the act. In Japan, handing something over—especially something important like a business card or a gift—is often done with two hands. Using watasu in a sentence is simple, but the physical action accompanying it should be respectful.

Understanding the synonyms and related terms for 渡す helps refine your vocabulary and ensures you use the most natural word for the situation. While watasu is the general term for 'handing over,' other verbs provide more specific nuances regarding the nature of the transfer or the relationship between the parties.

与える (ataeru)
To give, bestow, or provide (often used for abstract things like influence or opportunities).
譲る (yuzuru)
To hand over possession, to yield, or to give up (like giving up a seat on a bus).
届ける (todokeru)
To deliver or report (implies taking something to a destination).
授ける (sazukeru)
To grant or award (very formal, used for prizes or wisdom).

席を譲る。

— To give up/hand over one's seat.

When comparing watasu to 配る (kubaru - to distribute), watasu is usually one-to-one, whereas kubaru is one-to-many (like handing out flyers). If you are 'returning' something you borrowed, you would use 返す (kaesu), though the physical act of returning it involves watasu. In a business context, 提出する (teishutsu suru - to submit) is often preferred for formal documents, even if the physical act is handing them over. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the physical hand-off, the change in ownership, or the formality of the submission.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

先生にノートを渡します。

I hand the notebook to the teacher.

Basic 'ni' particle for the recipient.

2

これを渡してください。

Please hand this over.

Polite request using te-form + kudasai.

3

友達にペンを渡しました。

I handed a pen to my friend.

Past tense of watashimasu.

4

お母さんに手紙を渡す。

I hand a letter to my mother.

Dictionary form used in casual speech.

5

田中さんに辞書を渡しましたか？

Did you hand the dictionary to Mr. Tanaka?

Question form in the past tense.

6

はい、渡しました。

Yes, I handed it over.

Short affirmative response.

7

消しゴムを渡してください。

Please pass the eraser.

Common classroom request.

8

本を渡して、帰りました。

I handed over the book and went home.

Using te-form to sequence actions.

1

レジでお金を渡します。

I hand over the money at the cash register.

Context of a transaction.

2

駅員に切符を渡してください。

Please hand your ticket to the station attendant.

Standard instruction for travel.

3

誕生日にプレゼントを渡しました。

I handed over the present on the birthday.

Focus on the physical act of giving a gift.

4

荷物を渡すことができませんでした。

I wasn't able to hand over the luggage.

Using 'koto ga dekinai' for inability.

5

塩を渡してもらえますか？

Could you pass me the salt?

Polite request for a favor (te-morau).

6

明日、資料を渡しますね。

I'll hand over the materials tomorrow, okay?

Using 'ne' for confirmation.

7

鍵を渡すのを忘れました。

I forgot to hand over the keys.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

8

名前を書いてから、渡してください。

Please hand it over after writing your name.

Using 'te kara' for sequence.

1

受付で名刺をお渡ししました。

I handed over my business card at the reception.

Humble form 'o-watashi suru'.

2

報告書を部長に渡しておきました。

I handed the report to the manager in advance.

Using 'te oku' for preparation.

3

この手紙を彼に手渡ししてください。

Please hand-deliver this letter to him.

Compound noun 'te-watashi' (hand-delivery).

4

バトンを次の走者にうまく渡せた。

I was able to pass the baton to the next runner successfully.

Potential form 'wataseru'.

5

お釣りをお渡しするのを忘れました。

I forgot to give you your change.

Polite service language.

6

彼に伝言を渡してほしいのですが。

I'd like you to pass a message to him.

Using 'te hoshii' to express a desire for someone's action.

7

卒業証書を一人ずつ渡します。

We will hand out the diplomas one by one.

Adverbial 'hitori-zutsu' (one by one).

8

資料を渡すタイミングが難しかった。

The timing for handing over the materials was difficult.

Noun modification 'watasu taimingu'.

1

犯人の身柄を警察に渡した。

The suspect was handed over to the police.

Legal/Formal context 'migara o watasu'.

2

彼は息子に会社を渡す決心をした。

He decided to hand over the company to his son.

Metaphorical transfer of ownership/leadership.

3

川に長い橋を渡す計画がある。

There is a plan to build a long bridge across the river.

Special meaning: to lay/build across.

4

伝統の技を次の世代に渡していく。

We will pass on traditional techniques to the next generation.

Using 'te iku' for future continuation.

5

その権利を他人に渡してはならない。

You must not hand over that right to others.

Strong prohibition 'te wa naranai'.

6

彼は自分の役割を同僚に渡した。

He handed over his role to his colleague.

Transfer of responsibility.

7

この秘密を誰にも渡さないでください。

Please do not hand this secret over to anyone.

Negative request 'nai de kudasai'.

8

書類を渡す際に、受領印をもらってください。

When handing over the documents, please get a receipt stamp.

Using 'sai ni' (at the time of).

1

政権を平和的に渡すことが求められている。

A peaceful handover of power is being called for.

Political context 'seiken o watasu'.

2

彼は全財産を慈善団体に渡すと遺言した。

He left a will stating he would hand over all his assets to charity.

Legal/Inheritance context.

3

国境を越えて身柄を渡す条約が結ばれた。

A treaty was signed to hand over suspects across borders.

Extradition context.

4

師匠は奥義を弟子に手渡した。

The master passed on the secret techniques to the disciple.

Nuanced use of 'te-watasu' for direct transmission.

5

彼は自らの命を神に渡す覚悟をした。

He prepared himself to hand over his life to God.

Literary/Poetic usage.

6

この橋を渡す工事には莫大な費用がかかる。

The construction to lay this bridge will cost a vast amount.

Technical use in civil engineering.

7

彼は主導権を相手に渡してしまった。

He ended up handing over the initiative to his opponent.

Abstract 'shudoken' (initiative).

8

情報を安易に渡すことは、リスクを伴う。

Handing over information easily involves risks.

Gerund-like use of 'koto wa'.

1

彼は生涯をかけて築いた知見を、後世に渡すべく筆を執った。

He took up his pen to pass on the knowledge he built over a lifetime to future generations.

Using 'beku' (in order to).

2

その古文書は、代々家長の手から手へと渡されてきた。

The ancient document has been handed down from head of the house to head of the house for generations.

Passive form 'watasarete kita' for tradition.

3

彼は己の魂を悪魔に渡す契約を交わしたという伝説がある。

Legend has it that he made a contract to hand over his soul to the devil.

Mythological/Literary context.

4

銀河の彼方へと、人類の希望を渡すための探査機が放たれた。

A probe was launched to carry the hopes of humanity to the far reaches of the galaxy.

Grand, metaphorical usage.

5

彼は沈黙をもって、その重責を後任に渡した。

With silence, he handed over that heavy responsibility to his successor.

Nuanced, atmospheric description.

6

この法案は、地方自治体にさらなる権限を渡すことを目的としている。

This bill aims to hand over further authority to local governments.

High-level administrative language.

7

運命の糸を彼女に渡すかのように、彼はそっと手を離した。

As if handing her the thread of fate, he gently let go of her hand.

Simile 'ka no you ni'.

8

彼は自らのアイデンティティを他者に渡すことを拒んだ。

He refused to hand over his identity to others.

Philosophical context.

Collocations courantes

お金を渡す (hand over money)
手紙を渡す (hand over a letter)
名刺を渡す (hand over a business card)
バトンを渡す (pass the baton)
橋を渡す (build a bridge)
身柄を渡す (hand over a suspect)
資料を渡す (hand over materials)
プレゼントを渡す (hand over a gift)
鍵を渡す (hand over keys)
席を渡す (hand over a seat - though 'yuzuru' is more common)

Phrases Courantes

手渡しで (by hand)

お渡しします (I will hand it to you)

受け渡し (handing and receiving)

引き渡す (to surrender/extradite)

渡し舟 (ferry boat)

言い渡す (to announce/sentence)

申し渡す (to notify formally)

見渡す (to look out over)

売り渡す (to sell off)

受け渡し場所 (pick-up/drop-off location)

Souvent confondu avec

渡す vs 渡る (wataru)

Intransitive; means 'to cross' (e.g., crossing a bridge yourself).

渡す vs あげる (ageru)

Focuses on the benefit of giving a gift/favor.

渡す vs 送る (okuru)

Implies sending something via mail or internet over a distance.

Expressions idiomatiques

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Facile à confondre

渡す vs

渡す vs

渡す vs

渡す vs

渡す vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

nuance

Focuses on the physical movement of an object.

formality

Neutral, but can be made humble/honorific.

common collocation

Documents, money, keys, and salt are the most common objects.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'wataru' instead of 'watasu' for handing things.
  • Using 'watasu' for sending emails.
  • Forgetting the 'ni' particle for the recipient.
  • Using 'watasu' when 'ageru' (giving a gift) is more culturally appropriate.
  • Mispronouncing the pitch accent.

Astuces

Two-Hand Rule

When handing over business cards or gifts, always use both hands to show respect.

Transitivity

Remember that 'watasu' needs an object (o) and a recipient (ni).

Bridge Building

Use 'watasu' for physical structures like bridges or cables spanning a gap.

Humble Form

Use 'o-watashi shimasu' when serving customers or talking to superiors.

Relay Context

The baton pass in a relay is the classic image of 'watasu'.

Extradition

In news, 'hiki-watashi' is used for handing over criminals.

Key Exchange

Moving into a new house involves 'kagi o watasu'.

Passing Items

Use 'watashite' to ask for things at the table.

Kanji Usage

The kanji 渡 contains the water radical, reminding you of its 'crossing' roots.

Water-Pass

Imagine passing a glass of water across a table.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Contexte culturel

The moment of 'watasu' is often accompanied by humble phrases like 'tsumaranai mono desu ga'.

Offerings at shrines are 'handed over' to the gods through specific rituals.

Always use two hands for important items.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"この書類を誰に渡せばいいですか？ (Who should I hand these documents to?)"

"塩を渡してもらえますか？ (Could you pass me the salt?)"

"昨日、彼に何を渡しましたか？ (What did you hand to him yesterday?)"

"名刺を渡すのを忘れました。 (I forgot to hand over my business card.)"

"プレゼントはいつ渡しますか？ (When will you hand over the present?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、誰かに何かを渡しましたか？ (Did you hand something to someone today?)

大切なものを渡すとき、どんな気持ちになりますか？ (How do you feel when handing over something important?)

日本で名刺を渡したことがありますか？ (Have you ever handed over a business card in Japan?)

将来、誰に自分の夢を渡したいですか？ (Who do you want to pass your dreams to in the future?)

バトンを渡すような経験をしたことがありますか？ (Have you had an experience like passing a baton?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Usually no. Use 'okuru' or 'soshin suru' for emails and files. 'Watasu' implies a physical hand-off.

The verb itself is neutral. Use 'watashimasu' for standard politeness or 'o-watashi shimasu' for humble politeness.

'Tewatasu' emphasizes the 'hand-to-hand' aspect, often used for direct, personal delivery.

Yes, 'hashi o watasu' means to build or lay a bridge across a gap.

'Shio o watashite kudasai' or 'Shio o totte kudasai' (pass/take).

No, that is 'wataru'. 'Watasu' is to *make* something cross or hand it over.

In Japan, it's better to put it on the tray, but you are still 'watasu'-ing the money.

Yes, in the sense of handing over a suspect to the police or a child to a guardian.

The particle 'ni' (に) always marks the person receiving the item.

Yes, it is extremely common and essential for daily life in Japan.

Teste-toi 180 questions

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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