In 15 Seconds
- Surviving a major danger or difficult life trial.
- Literally means 'climbing over' a wall of crisis.
- Used for business, relationships, and national recovery efforts.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of successfully navigating through a dangerous or difficult situation. It is like climbing over a massive wall that was blocking your path to safety.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a company's recovery
わが社は倒産の危機を乗り越えました。
Our company has overcome the crisis of bankruptcy.
Talking about a relationship
二人は別れの危機を乗り越えて、結婚した。
The two of them overcame a breakup crisis and got married.
Texting a friend about a tough week
テスト期間の危機をなんとか乗り越えたよ！
I somehow survived the crisis of finals week!
Cultural Background
This expression is deeply tied to the Japanese concept of resilience in the face of natural disasters like earthquakes. It gained significant usage during the rebuilding periods after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. It reflects a societal pride in 'climbing over' adversity rather than being crushed by it.
The 'Climb' Nuance
Remember that `乗り越える` implies a physical climb. It suggests that you didn't just wait for the problem to go away; you actively worked to get over it.
Don't be too dramatic
If you use this for losing your umbrella, people might think you're joking or being sarcastic. Stick to things that actually cause stress.
In 15 Seconds
- Surviving a major danger or difficult life trial.
- Literally means 'climbing over' a wall of crisis.
- Used for business, relationships, and national recovery efforts.
What It Means
Imagine you are hiking and hit a steep, rocky cliff. You can't go around it. You have to climb over it to survive. That is exactly what 危機を乗り越える feels like. The word 危機 (kiki) means a crisis or a point of danger. The verb 乗り越える (norikoeru) literally means to get on top of something and cross over it. Together, they describe surviving a major trial. It is not just about avoiding trouble. It is about facing it, struggling through it, and reaching the other side stronger.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when the stakes are high. It follows a simple pattern: [Subject] + は + 危機を乗り越える. You can change the verb to the past tense 乗り越えた to say you already beat the odds. If you are talking about a group effort, it sounds very inspiring. It is a common phrase in news reports and business meetings. However, you can also use it for personal struggles. Just remember that it implies the situation was truly serious.
When To Use It
This is perfect for big life events. Use it when a company avoids bankruptcy. Use it when a couple stays together after a huge fight. It fits perfectly when a country recovers from a natural disaster. You might hear it in a sports locker room after a comeback victory. If you are texting a friend who just finished a brutal exam week, this works too. It adds a sense of heroic achievement to the conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for minor inconveniences. If you ran out of milk, that is not a 危機. If you missed your train by one minute, don't use it. Using it for small things makes you sound like a drama queen. Also, avoid it if the problem was easily solved without effort. This phrase requires sweat, tears, or at least some serious stress. It is a heavy-duty expression for heavy-duty problems.
Cultural Background
Japan is a country that has faced many natural disasters. Because of this, the spirit of 'overcoming' is deeply baked into the culture. There is a strong emphasis on resilience and collective effort. You will often see this phrase in headlines after earthquakes or economic shifts. It reflects the Japanese ideal of gaman (endurance). It is about the beauty of not giving up when things get dark.
Common Variations
You might hear ピンチを乗り越える (pinchi o norikoeru) in casual settings. ピンチ is the English word 'pinch,' used to mean a tight spot. If you want to sound more academic, you might use 克服する (kokufuku suru). But for daily life and business, 危機を乗り越える is the gold standard. It paints a vivid picture of physical effort and triumph.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral but leans toward the serious side. It is perfectly safe for both business and personal life, but avoid using it for trivial matters unless you are intentionally being funny.
The 'Climb' Nuance
Remember that `乗り越える` implies a physical climb. It suggests that you didn't just wait for the problem to go away; you actively worked to get over it.
Don't be too dramatic
If you use this for losing your umbrella, people might think you're joking or being sarcastic. Stick to things that actually cause stress.
The Power of 'Together'
In Japan, this phrase is often paired with `一致団結` (isshi danketsu), meaning 'uniting as one.' Crises are rarely seen as solo battles.
Examples
6わが社は倒産の危機を乗り越えました。
Our company has overcome the crisis of bankruptcy.
Very standard professional usage for a major turnaround.
二人は別れの危機を乗り越えて、結婚した。
The two of them overcame a breakup crisis and got married.
Shows that the relationship survived a near-end point.
テスト期間の危機をなんとか乗り越えたよ！
I somehow survived the crisis of finals week!
A slightly hyperbolic but common way to talk to friends.
激辛ラーメンの危機を乗り越えた俺は無敵だ。
Having survived the crisis of super spicy ramen, I am invincible.
Using a serious phrase for something trivial creates humor.
みんなで協力して、この危機を乗り越えよう！
Let's cooperate and overcome this crisis together!
A classic rallying cry in a group setting.
地域住民は一致団結して、震災の危機を乗り越えた。
The local residents united and overcame the crisis of the earthquake.
Formal and respectful tone used in media.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct particle and verb form to complete the sentence.
苦しい時期___乗り越えて、今の成功がある。
The verb `乗り越える` is transitive and takes the object marker `を` to indicate what you are overcoming.
Which word best fits the context of a serious danger?
会社が潰れそうな___を乗り越える。
`危機` (crisis) is the natural pair for `乗り越える` when discussing a company nearly failing.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Overcoming'
Using 'Pinch' for minor troubles.
ピンチを乗り切る
Standard phrase for most situations.
危機を乗り越える
Academic or highly professional.
窮地を脱する
When to use 危機を乗り越える
Business
Avoiding bankruptcy
Love
Surviving a major fight
Health
Recovering from illness
Society
Disaster recovery
Practice Bank
2 exercises苦しい時期___乗り越えて、今の成功がある。
The verb `乗り越える` is transitive and takes the object marker `を` to indicate what you are overcoming.
会社が潰れそうな___を乗り越える。
`危機` (crisis) is the natural pair for `乗り越える` when discussing a company nearly failing.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsYes, 危機 (kiki) specifically means a crisis or danger, so you only use it when facing something negative that needs to be solved.
Absolutely! If a team is down by many points and wins, you can say 敗北の危機を乗り越えた (overcame the crisis of defeat).
克服する (kokufuku suru) is often used for internal things like overcoming a fear or a disability, while 乗り越える is for external situations.
Yes, it is very appropriate. It sounds professional and determined, especially when discussing project challenges.
You can use the dictionary form 乗り越える or the polite form 乗り越えます to express future intent.
Yes, if someone was very ill and recovered, you can say they 病気の危機を乗り越えた.
ピンチ (pinchi) is more casual. You'd use it with friends, while 危機 is better for work or serious news.
Usually, yes. It suggests you have reached the 'other side' of the difficulty.
You would say 危機を乗り越えようとしている (trying to overcome the crisis).
Yes, it is frequently used for things like 気候変動の危機 (the crisis of climate change).
Very common. You will see it in newspapers, anime, and daily conversation almost every day.
Related Phrases
壁を打ち破る
困難に立ち向かう
窮地を脱する
ピンチをチャンスに変える
