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〜を横切って

A2 phrase #6,000 most common 8 min read

〜を横切って

wo yokogitte Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 〜を横切って in 30 Seconds

Explanation 〜を横切って in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe where things go. 'Yokogitte' is a bit advanced for absolute beginners, but you can think of it as a special way to say 'across.' Imagine a road. If you walk from one side to the other, you are 'crossing' it. In Japanese, we say 'michi wo yokogiru.' For now, just remember that the particle 'wo' comes after the place (like 'road' or 'park'), and 'yokogitte' means you are in the middle of crossing it to go somewhere else. It's like a bridge between the place and the action. For example: 'michi wo yokogitte, gakkou ni ikimasu' (I cross the road and go to school). Don't worry too much about the grammar yet, just try to visualize the 'cutting across' movement. It's very common when talking about animals or people moving in front of you. Keep it simple and focus on physical objects you can see.

At the A2 level, you should start using '〜を横切って' to add more detail to your directions and descriptions. This phrase is very useful when you want to explain a path that isn't just a straight line. For example, if you are telling someone how to get to a cafe, you might say 'Kouen wo yokogitte...' (Cut across the park...). This sounds more natural than just saying 'go through the park.' You should also learn the difference between 'yokogiru' and 'wataru.' Remember: 'wataru' is for bridges and crosswalks where you definitely want to reach the other side. 'Yokogiru' is more about the physical act of moving across the space. You can use it for rooms, roads, and fields. It's also the standard way to describe a cat or a car passing in front of you. Practice connecting it with verbs like 'hashiru' (run) or 'aruku' (walk).

At the B1 level, you can begin to use '〜を横切って' in more complex sentences and understand its nuances in different contexts. You should be comfortable using it with various motion verbs and understand that it implies a perpendicular or intersecting path. For instance, 'Densha ga kouya wo yokogitte hashiru' (The train runs across the wilderness). Here, 'yokogitte' emphasizes the vastness of the area being traversed. You can also start recognizing its use in literature to describe light, shadows, or even feelings. 'Fuan ga kokoro wo yokogitta' (A feeling of unease crossed my mind). While 'yokogitte' is the te-form, you should also be familiar with the dictionary form 'yokogiru' and the noun form '横切り' (yokogiri). This level is about moving beyond simple physical directions and using the word to create more vivid descriptions in your writing and speaking.

At the B2 level, you should master the subtle distinctions between 'yokogiru' and its synonyms like 'tsukkiru' (to cut through) and 'toorinukeru' (to pass through). You should understand that 'yokogiru' can imply an interruption or a sudden movement. For example, in a crime report, a witness might say 'A suspicious man crossed the street' (Ayashii otoko ga michi wo yokogitta). The word 'yokogiru' here provides a clear visual of the man's path relative to the witness. You should also be able to use it in formal or written Japanese, where it often appears in descriptions of nature or urban landscapes. At this stage, you should also be aware of the figurative uses, such as 'thought crossing the mind,' and be able to use them appropriately in essays or storytelling. Your focus should be on the 'intentionality' of the movement—is it a shortcut, an accident, or just a transition?

At the C1 level, you are expected to use '〜を横切って' with precision and stylistic flair. You can use it to describe abstract concepts with ease, such as 'unmei ga yokogiru' (destiny crossing paths). You should be able to appreciate how authors use this verb to create atmosphere. For instance, 'Gin-iro no tsubame ga minamo wo yokogitte itta' (A silver swallow flew across the water's surface). Here, 'yokogiru' isn't just a direction; it's a brushstroke in a verbal painting. You should also understand the historical etymology of the word, connecting 'yoko' (horizontal/side) and 'kiru' (to cut), and how this reflects a specifically Japanese spatial consciousness. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's, knowing exactly when 'yokogiru' is more poetic or impactful than a simpler verb of motion.

At the C2 level, '〜を横切って' is a tool for nuanced expression in high-level discourse. You can use it to discuss complex spatial dynamics in architecture, urban planning, or philosophy. You might use it to describe the way a new law 'cuts across' different sectors of society, or how a specific cultural trend 'crosses' generational lines, though these are highly metaphorical. You have a deep understanding of the word's prosody and how it fits into the rhythm of a long, complex sentence. You can also identify and use archaic or highly literary variations of the concept. At this level, you are not just using the word correctly; you are using it to convey subtle shades of meaning, intent, and visual perspective that a lower-level learner would likely miss.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

〜を横切って in 30 Seconds

Means 'across' or 'cutting through' a physical space.
Used for roads, parks, rooms, and visual fields.
Grammar: [Place] + を + 横切って + [Motion Verb].
Implies a perpendicular path rather than following a designated route.

The phrase 〜を横切って (wo yokogitte) is a fundamental directional expression in Japanese, primarily used to describe the action of moving from one side of a space to the other. At its core, it combines the particle 'wo' (indicating the space being traversed) with the te-form of the verb 'yokogiru' (横切る), which literally means 'to cut across.' This 'cutting' imagery is crucial; it implies a path that intersects or bisects a linear or open area, such as a street, a hallway, or a field. While English often uses the simple preposition 'across,' the Japanese expression carries a dynamic sense of motion, often suggesting that the movement is perpendicular to the main flow or orientation of the area being crossed.

Physical Space: Used for crossing roads, parks, or rooms. It emphasizes the trajectory from point A to point B across the middle of the space.
Visual Interruption: Often used when an object or person moves across your line of sight, such as a black cat crossing your path.
Abstract Movement: In literary contexts, it can describe a shadow or a flash of light crossing a surface, or even a thought crossing the mind (though other verbs are more common for thoughts).

猫が道を横切って走っていきました。(The cat ran across the road.)

In daily life, you will hear this most frequently in the context of traffic safety, directions, and descriptive storytelling. For instance, a mother might warn her child not to 'yokogiru' a busy street without looking. Unlike 'wataru' (渡る), which specifically implies crossing a designated point like a bridge or a crosswalk to reach a destination, 'yokogiru' focuses more on the act of passing through or across the space itself, sometimes implying a shortcut or an unconventional path.

彼は公園を横切って駅へ向かった。(He headed to the station, cutting across the park.)

The word 'yokogiru' consists of 'yoko' (横 - side/horizontal) and 'kiru' (切る - to cut). Understanding this literal 'side-cutting' helps learners visualize the movement: you are essentially 'cutting' through the horizontal plane of a path. This is why it is used for things that move in front of you. If you are walking and someone walks right in front of you, they are '横切る'-ing your path. It can sometimes carry a slight nuance of being an obstacle or an interruption, depending on the context.

Using 〜を横切って correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement and the types of nouns it pairs with. It follows the pattern [Noun] + を + 横切って. The noun is usually a physical space with width, such as a road (道), a river (川), a field (野原), or even a room (部屋). Because it ends in the te-form, it is almost always followed by a verb of motion like 行く (to go), 来る (to come), 走る (to run), or 歩く (to walk).

Pattern 1: Simple Motion: [Place] を横切って [Motion Verb]. Example: 道路を横切って歩く (Walk across the road).
Pattern 2: Visual Experience: Something moves across your field of vision. Example: 目の前を横切って行った (It went across right in front of my eyes).

飛行機が空を横切って飛んでいます。(The plane is flying across the sky.)

In more advanced usage, 'yokogiru' can be used with abstract nouns. For instance, 'fuan ga kokoro wo yokogitta' (不安が心を横切った) means 'Anxiety crossed my mind.' However, for the A2 level, learners should focus on physical movement. When you use the te-form 'yokogitte,' you are often describing a sequence of events: 'I crossed the park AND THEN I saw the fountain.' It provides a smooth transition between the action of crossing and the next state or action.

彼は教室を横切って窓の方へ行きました。(He walked across the classroom toward the window.)

It is also important to note the particle 'wo.' In Japanese, 'wo' is used with motion verbs to indicate the path or space through which movement occurs. This can be confusing for English speakers who expect 'across' to be a preposition. In Japanese, the 'across' meaning is baked into the verb 'yokogiru,' and 'wo' simply marks the space being 'cut across.'

You will encounter 〜を横切って in various real-world scenarios, ranging from casual conversation to literary descriptions and news reports. One of the most common places is in descriptive storytelling, where the speaker is setting a scene. For example, in a novel or a movie script, a character might be described as 'crossing the square' to reach a hidden door. In these contexts, the word adds a sense of spatial depth and specific movement.

News and Weather: Reports about wildlife sightings often use this. 'A bear was seen crossing the highway' (クマが高速道路を横切って...).
Superstitions: The famous 'black cat crossing your path' (黒猫が前を横切る) uses this verb, implying bad luck.

黒猫が私の前を横切っていきました。(A black cat crossed in front of me.)

In anime and manga, 'yokogiru' is often used to describe dramatic entrances or exits. A samurai might 'yokogiru' a field of cherry blossoms, or a high-speed train might 'yokogiru' the landscape. It emphasizes the visual impact of the movement. In casual speech, if you are explaining why you were late, you might say, 'A huge parade was crossing the street' (パレードが道を横切っていて...).

流れ星が夜空を横切って消えました。(A shooting star crossed the night sky and disappeared.)

Furthermore, in sports commentary, you'll hear it when a player runs across the field to intercept a ball. 'Senshu ga gurando wo yokogitte...' (The player, crossing the ground...). It is a versatile word that captures the essence of transit and intersection in a way that feels very natural to Japanese ears.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 〜を横切って is confusing it with the verb 渡る (wataru). While both can be translated as 'to cross,' their usage is distinct. 'Wataru' is generally used for crossing from one side to another with a clear destination, often using a bridge (hashi wo wataru) or a crosswalk (oudanhodou wo wataru). 'Yokogiru' is more about the act of cutting across a space, often where there isn't a designated crossing point, or when describing something passing in front of you.

Mistake: Using 'Yokogiru' for Bridges: Incorrect: 橋を横切る (Hashi wo yokogiru). Correct: 橋を渡る (Hashi wo wataru). You cross *the bridge itself* to get to the other side of the river.
Mistake: Particle Confusion: Some learners try to use 'ni' or 'de' for the location, but 'wo' is mandatory because it marks the space the movement passes through.

✕ 橋を横切って向こう側へ行きました。
○ 橋を渡って向こう側へ行きました。

Another mistake is using 'yokogiru' for 'passing by' someone on the street without crossing their path. If you are just walking past them in the same or opposite direction, you should use 'toorisugiru' (通り過ぎる). 'Yokogiru' specifically requires an intersection of paths. If your path and the other person's path would form an 'X' or a 'T' on a map, that is when you use 'yokogiru.'

✕ 友達の横を横切って挨拶しました。
○ 友達の横を通り過ぎて挨拶しました。

Finally, remember that 'yokogiru' is a physical action. Don't use it for 'crossing out' a word on paper (that would be 'kesu' or 'sen wo hiku'). Keeping the 'cutting across a physical space' image in mind will help you avoid these common pitfalls.

To truly master 〜を横切って, it helps to compare it with other verbs that describe movement through or across space. Japanese has a rich vocabulary for spatial relations, and choosing the right word can change the tone and clarity of your sentence significantly.

渡る (Wataru): Meaning: To cross over. Used for bridges, crosswalks, and oceans. Focuses on reaching the other side of a divide.
通り抜ける (Toorinukeru): Meaning: To pass through. Used for narrow passages, tunnels, or crowds. Implies entering one side and exiting the other.
突っ切る (Tsukkiru): Meaning: To cut straight through. This is a more forceful version of 'yokogiru,' often implying a shortcut or moving quickly through a large area.
過ぎる (Sugiru): Meaning: To pass/go past. Used when you move beyond a specific point without necessarily crossing through its center.

彼は森を突っ切って近道をしました。(He cut straight through the forest to take a shortcut.)

In some cases, you might use 'koeru' (超える/越える), which means 'to go over' or 'to surpass.' This is used for crossing mountains or boundaries. If you are 'crossing' a border, 'koeru' is the standard choice. If you are 'crossing' a line in the sand, 'yokogiru' might describe the physical movement, but 'koeru' would describe the act of exceeding the limit.

飛行機が山を越えていきました。(The plane went over the mountain.)

Understanding these nuances allows you to be more precise. If you say 'michi wo yokogitte,' people see you cutting across the asphalt. If you say 'michi wo watatte,' people see you using the crosswalk to get to the shop on the other side. These small choices make your Japanese sound much more natural and fluent.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'kiru' (cut) part of the word reflects the ancient Japanese concept of movement as something that 'segments' or 'cuts' through a space, similar to how a sword cuts through an object.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /woʊ joʊkoʊɡitːe/

US /woʊ joʊkoʊɡitːe/

Japanese is pitch-accented. 'Yokogiru' typically has a low-high-low pattern, but in the 'te' form, the pitch stays relatively flat after the initial rise.

Rhymes With

itte (行ってい) matte (待って) kitte (切って) shitte (知って) tatte (立って) motte (持って) utte (売って) totte (取って)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'wo' as a strong 'W' sound (it's usually just 'o').
Forgetting the small 'tsu' (double T) and saying 'yokogite' instead of 'yokogitte'.
Misplacing the stress on 'gi' like English 'guitar'.
Pronouncing 'yoko' like English 'yolk'. It's 'yo-ko' with short vowels.
Failing to connect 'wo' smoothly to the following word.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Kanji for 'yoko' and 'kiru' are basic, but the compound reading needs practice.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'kiru' kanji and the te-form conjugation.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to use once the 'wo' particle connection is understood.

Listening 2/5

Common in descriptions, easy to pick up in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

道 (michi) 行く (iku) 走る (hashiru) を (particle) 切る (kiru)

Learn Next

渡る (wataru) 通り抜ける (toorinukeru) 突っ切る (tsukkiru) 横断歩道 (oudanhodou) 向こう側 (mukougawa)

Advanced

横断 (oudan) 縦断 (juudan) 交差 (kousa) 遮る (saegiru) 脳裏 (nouri)

Grammar to Know

Te-form for Sequence

公園を横切って、カフェに行きました。

Particle 'wo' for Motion Space

道を歩く、空を飛ぶ、公園を横切る。

Te-iru for Ongoing Action

猫が道を横切っています。

Adverbial use of Te-form

急いで道を横切る。

Potential Form

この川は泳いで横切れます。

Examples by Level

道を横切って行きます。

I will cross the road and go.

Simple [Noun] + を + 横切って + Verb.

猫が道を横切りました。

A cat crossed the road.

Past tense of the verb form.

公園を横切って歩こう。

Let's walk across the park.

Volitional form 'arukou' with the phrase.

車が目の前を横切った。

A car crossed in front of my eyes.

'Me no mae' (in front of eyes) is the space.

教室を横切ってください。

Please cross the classroom.

Polite request form 'kudasai'.

鳥が空を横切って飛んだ。

A bird flew across the sky.

Using 'sora' (sky) as the space.

庭を横切って行きました。

He went across the garden.

'Niwa' (garden) is the object of 'wo'.

危ないから道を横切らないで。

It's dangerous, so don't cross the road (here).

Negative command 'naide' using the verb base.

彼は急いで道を横切って行きました。

He hurriedly went across the road.

Adding the adverb 'isoide' (hurriedly).

黒い猫が私の前を横切って、びっくりしました。

A black cat crossed in front of me, and I was surprised.

Connecting two sentences with the te-form.

川を横切って泳ぐのは難しいです。

It is difficult to swim across the river.

Using 'oyogu' (swim) as the motion verb.

運動場を横切って校舎へ行きました。

I went across the playground to the school building.

Describing a path to a destination.

飛行機が雲を横切って見えました。

I saw a plane crossing through the clouds.

Using 'miemashita' (was visible).

自転車でその広場を横切って行こう。

Let's go across that square by bicycle.

Adding the means of transport 'jitensha de'.

犬が庭を横切って走っています。

A dog is running across the garden.

Present continuous 'te-iru' form.

列を横切ってはいけません。

You must not cross through the line.

'Te wa ikemasen' (must not).

一筋の光が暗い部屋を横切っていった。

A single beam of light crossed the dark room.

Describing inanimate objects (light).

不吉な予感が私の心を横切った。

A bad premonition crossed my mind.

Figurative use with 'kokoro' (heart/mind).

彼は黙って私の前を横切って立ち去った。

He silently crossed in front of me and walked away.

Combining multiple te-forms.

鹿が突然道路を横切ってきて、急ブレーキをかけた。

A deer suddenly crossed the road, and I slammed on the brakes.

'Yokogitte-kite' implies movement towards the speaker.

船が水平線をゆっくりと横切っていきました。

The ship slowly crossed the horizon.

Using 'suiheisen' (horizon).

影が壁を横切って動くのが見えた。

I saw a shadow move across the wall.

Noun clause with 'no ga mie-ta'.

彼は人混みを横切って、彼女の元へ向かった。

He cut across the crowd and headed toward her.

Using 'hitogomi' (crowd) as the space.

流れ星が夜空を横切って一瞬で消えた。

A shooting star crossed the night sky and vanished in an instant.

Describing speed and duration.

そのニュースを聞いた瞬間、不安が脳裏を横切った。

The moment I heard the news, anxiety flashed across my mind.

'Nouri' (brain/mind) is a more formal version of 'kokoro'.

冷たい風が首筋を横切って吹き抜けた。

A cold wind swept across the back of my neck.

Describing sensory experience.

彼は最短距離を行くために、私有地を横切っていった。

He crossed through private property to take the shortest route.

Using 'saitan kyori' (shortest distance).

銀色の魚が水槽の中を素早く横切った。

A silver fish darted across the inside of the aquarium.

Describing rapid motion.

彼女の顔に一瞬、悲しみの色が横切った。

A look of sadness momentarily crossed her face.

Metaphorical use with facial expressions.

その飛行機は領空を横切って隣国へ向かった。

The plane crossed the airspace and headed to the neighboring country.

Using 'ryoukuu' (airspace).

弾丸が空気を横切って飛んでいくような音がした。

There was a sound like a bullet flying through the air.

Simile using 'youna'.

彼はステージを横切ってマイクの前に立った。

He walked across the stage and stood in front of the microphone.

Spatial description in a theater context.

漆黒の闇を横切って、一筋の閃光が走った。

A single flash of light raced across the pitch-black darkness.

Literary/dramatic phrasing.

歴史の潮流を横切って、新しい思想が生まれた。

A new ideology was born, cutting across the currents of history.

Highly metaphorical use.

老人の眉間に、一瞬険しい表情が横切った。

A stern expression momentarily crossed the old man's brow.

Precise anatomical/emotional description.

その彗星は数千年の時を横切って、再び地球に接近した。

The comet, crossing thousands of years of time, approached Earth again.

Crossing 'time' as a space.

静寂を横切って、遠くで鐘の音が響いた。

Cutting across the silence, the sound of a bell echoed in the distance.

'Seijaku' (silence) as the medium being crossed.

彼の視線は、部屋にいる人々を横切って出口に向けられた。

His gaze swept across the people in the room and turned toward the exit.

Describing the path of a gaze (shisen).

その川を横切って架けられた橋は、村の象徴だった。

The bridge built across that river was the symbol of the village.

Passive/attributive use: 'yokogitte kakerareta'.

疑念が彼の脳裏を横切っては消え、また現れた。

Doubt crossed his mind, vanished, and appeared again.

Describing repetitive mental states.

文明の境界線を横切って、文化の交流が深まった。

Cultural exchange deepened as it crossed the boundaries of civilization.

Sociopolitical metaphorical use.

幾多の困難を横切って到達したその地は、楽園のようだった。

The place reached after traversing numerous difficulties was like a paradise.

Traversing abstract 'difficulties'.

彼の沈黙は、雄弁な言葉よりも鋭く場を横切った。

His silence cut across the room more sharply than eloquent words.

Describing the impact of silence.

銀河を横切って旅をするという空想に、彼は耽っていた。

He was lost in the fantasy of traveling across the galaxy.

Space travel context.

その旋律は、聴衆の心の琴線を横切って響き渡った。

The melody resonated, crossing the heartstrings of the audience.

Highly poetic idiom 'heartstrings'.

一陣の風が草原を横切って、草の波を作った。

A gust of wind crossed the grasslands, creating waves of grass.

Describing natural phenomena.

虚空を横切って伸びるその糸は、蜘蛛の罠だった。

The thread stretching across the void was a spider's trap.

Using 'kokuu' (void/empty air).

意識の表層を横切る断片的な記憶が、彼を苦しめた。

Fragmented memories crossing the surface of his consciousness tormented him.

Psychological/philosophical context.

Common Collocations

道を横切って

公園を横切って

目の前を横切って

滑走路を横切って

野原を横切って

画面を横切って

廊下を横切って

ステージを横切って

川を横切って

視界を横切って

Common Phrases

横切って行く

— To go across a space. Used to describe a complete crossing action.

彼は広場を横切っていった。

横切って来る

— To come across toward the speaker. Describes something approaching while crossing.

子供が道を横切ってきた。

横切って走る

— To run across. Often used for animals or people in a hurry.

リスが道を横切って走った。

横切って飛ぶ

— To fly across. Used for birds, planes, or insects.

トンボが池を横切って飛んだ。

横切って泳ぐ

— To swim across. Used for crossing bodies of water.

彼はプールを横切って泳いだ。

横切って渡る

— To cross over (emphasizing the destination). A slightly redundant but common usage.

大通りを横切って渡る。

横切って歩く

— To walk across. A standard descriptive phrase.

芝生を横切って歩かないでください。

横切って過ぎる

— To pass by while crossing. Implies a brief crossing.

船が島の前を横切って過ぎた。

横切って消える

— To cross and then disappear. Used for shooting stars or ghosts.

影が角を横切って消えた。

横切って移動する

— To move across. A more clinical or technical description.

物体が空間を横切って移動する。

Often Confused With

〜を横切って vs 渡る (wataru)

Wataru is for bridges/crosswalks with a destination; Yokogiru is for cutting across any space.

〜を横切って vs 通る (tooru)

Tooru is a general term for 'passing through' or 'going along' a road; Yokogiru is specifically crossing it.

〜を横切って vs 過ぎる (sugiru)

Sugiru means to pass by a point; Yokogiru means to cross through the middle of an area.

Idioms & Expressions

"脳裏を横切る"

— To flash across one's mind. Used for sudden thoughts or memories.

嫌な予感が脳裏を横切った。

Literary

"視線を横切る"

— To cross someone's line of sight. Often implies an interruption.

彼の鋭い視線が私の視線を横切った。

Neutral

"顔を横切る"

— Used to describe an expression passing over a face.

不安な色が彼女の顔を横切った。

Literary

"風が横切る"

— To describe a breeze passing through an area.

爽やかな風が部屋を横切った。

Poetic

"歴史を横切る"

— To span across or intersect with historical events.

彼の人生は激動の歴史を横切ってきた。

Formal

"闇を横切る"

— To pass through darkness, often used for light or sound.

叫び声が闇を横切った。

Dramatic

"雲を横切る"

— Used for the moon or sun passing behind clouds.

月が雲を横切って顔を出した。

Poetic

"波紋が横切る"

— To describe ripples moving across water.

静かな水面を波紋が横切った。

Descriptive

"境界を横切る"

— To cross a boundary (physical or metaphorical).

彼は禁断の境界を横切ってしまった。

Dramatic

"静寂を横切る"

— To break the silence with a sound or movement.

鐘の音が静寂を横切った。

Literary

Easily Confused

〜を横切って vs 突っ切る

Both mean 'across'.

Tsukkiru is more forceful and implies going straight through without stopping, often as a shortcut.

彼は森を突っ切った。

〜を横切って vs 通り抜ける

Both imply moving through a space.

Toorinukeru is for tunnels or narrow paths; Yokogiru is for crossing a wide surface.

トンネルを通り抜ける。

〜を横切って vs 横断する

Both mean 'to cross'.

Oudan is a more formal, technical term used for continents, oceans, or formal crosswalks.

太平洋を横断する。

〜を横切って vs 跨ぐ (matagu)

Both involve moving over something.

Matagu means to step over a small obstacle like a puddle or a fence.

水たまりを跨ぐ。

〜を横切って vs 超える

Both mean 'to cross/go over'.

Koeru is for mountains, borders, or limits; Yokogiru is for flat spaces or visual paths.

国境を越える。

Sentence Patterns

[Place] を横切って行きます。

道を横切って行きます。

[Agent] が [Place] を横切って [Verb]。

犬が庭を横切って走っています。

突然 [Agent] が [Place] を横切った。

突然鹿が道を横切った。

[Abstract Noun] が [Mind/Face] を横切る。

不安が脳裏を横切った。

[Natural Phenomenon] が [Space] を横切って [Verb]。

閃光が闇を横切って走った。

[Place] を横切らないでください。

芝生を横切らないでください。

[Method] で [Place] を横切る。

自転車で広場を横切る。

[Visual] が視界を横切る。

何かが視界を横切った。

Word Family

Nouns

横切り (yokogiri - crossing/interception)

横断 (oudan - crossing/traversing)

Verbs

横切る (yokogiru - to cross/intersect)

横たわる (yokotawaru - to lie down)

Adjectives

横の (yoko no - horizontal/side)

横 (yoko - side)

切る (kiru - to cut)

渡る (wataru - to cross over)

通る (tooru - to pass through)

横道 (yokomichi - side street)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily speech, very common in literature and news.

Common Mistakes

橋を横切る (Hashi wo yokogiru) → 橋を渡る (Hashi wo wataru)
You cross 'over' a bridge to get across a river. 'Yokogiru' would mean you are walking across the width of the bridge's road, which is rarely what you mean.
公園に横切る (Kouen ni yokogiru) → 公園を横切る (Kouen wo yokogiru)
The particle 'ni' suggests a destination. 'Wo' is required because you are moving *through* the space of the park.
道を横切って歩きました (for passing someone on the sidewalk) → 道を通りました (Michi wo toorimashita)
'Yokogiru' means crossing the road from one side to the other. If you are just walking along the sidewalk, use 'tooru' or 'aruku'.
横切るして (Yokogiru-shite) → 横切って (Yokogitte)
'Yokogiru' is a Godan verb, not a Suru-verb. Its te-form is 'yokogitte'.
ノートを横切る (for crossing out a word) → 線を引いて消す (Sen wo hiite kesu)
'Yokogiru' is for physical movement in 3D space, not for editing text on a page.

Tips

The 'Wo' Rule

Always remember that the space being crossed is the direct object. Even though English says 'across THE road,' Japanese says 'road ( を ) yokogiru.'

The Black Cat

If you see a black cat, you might hear a Japanese friend say 'Kuro-neko ga yokogitta!' This is a great chance to practice the word in a cultural context.

Shortcut Secret

When you want to suggest a shortcut, use 'yokogitte.' It sounds more like 'let's cut through here' than the formal 'let's pass through.'

Field of Vision

Use 'yokogiru' for anything that moves horizontally across your sight. It's the most natural word for birds, cars, or people passing by your window.

Yokogiru vs Wataru

If there's a zebra crossing (crosswalk), use 'wataru.' If you are jaywalking or crossing an open field, use 'yokogiru.'

Mental Flash

Use 'nouri wo yokogiru' in your writing to describe a sudden realization. It sounds much more sophisticated than just 'omotta' (I thought).

Warning Kids

In Japan, you'll see signs saying 'Tobidashi chuui' (Watch out for jumping out). This often involves kids 'yokogiru-ing' the street suddenly.

Bird Watching

When a bird flies from left to right in front of you, say 'Tori ga sora wo yokogitte itta.' It's a very common way to describe nature.

Room Crossing

If you are walking from one side of a large hall to the other, use 'hiroi hooru wo yokogitte.' It emphasizes the distance you traveled across the floor.

Daily Action

Every time you cross a room to get a glass of water, think to yourself: 'Heya wo yokogitte imasu.' Constant mental repetition is key!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yoko' (horizontal/side) and 'Kiru' (to cut). You are 'cutting' across the 'side' of the road. Visualize a karate chop cutting a road in half.

Visual Association

Imagine a black cat (yokogiru) cutting across a street. The cat's path 'cuts' your path at a 90-degree angle.

Word Web

Road Park Cat Across Shortcut Visual Intersection Perpendicular

Challenge

Try to describe three things you saw 'yokogiru' (cross) your path today, even if it was just a car or a fly.

Word Origin

Derived from the verb 'yokogiru' (横切る). It is a compound of 'yoko' (横), meaning 'side' or 'horizontal', and 'kiru' (切る), meaning 'to cut'.

Original meaning: To cut across from the side; to intersect a path or space.

Japonic (Native Japanese origin - Kunyomi).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it to describe people. 'Hito no mae wo yokogiru' (crossing in front of someone) can sometimes imply you are being an obstacle or being impolite.

Similar to 'cutting across' or 'taking a shortcut,' but 'yokogiru' is more commonly used for simple visual descriptions like a bird flying across the sky.

The superstition 'Kuro-neko ga mae wo yokogiru' (A black cat crosses in front of you). Studio Ghibli films often use this verb to describe spirits or animals darting across a scene. Japanese traffic safety posters for kids: 'Abunai! Michi wo yokogiranai!' (Danger! Don't cross the road!)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving Directions

公園を横切って
広場を横切って
あの道を横切って
駐車場を横切って

Describing Animals

猫が横切る
鹿が横切る
鳥が空を横切る
虫が目の前を横切る

Traffic Safety

道を横切らないで
急に横切る
車道を横切る
横切る時は注意

Storytelling

影が横切った
光が横切った
不安が脳裏を横切った
ステージを横切る

Sports

コートを横切る
フィールドを横切る
相手の前を横切る
ゴール前を横切る

Conversation Starters

"さっき、珍しい動物が道を横切っていったのを見ましたか？ (Did you see that rare animal cross the road just now?)"

"公園を横切って行けば、駅まで5分で着きますよ。 (If you cut across the park, you can get to the station in 5 minutes.)"

"黒猫が前を横切ると不吉だという迷信を信じますか？ (Do you believe the superstition that it's unlucky if a black cat crosses your path?)"

"大きなパレードが道を横切っていて、通れませんでした。 (A big parade was crossing the street, so I couldn't pass.)"

"流れ星が空を横切るのを見たことがありますか？ (Have you ever seen a shooting star cross the sky?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、あなたの目の前を横切った面白いものについて書いてください。 (Write about something interesting that crossed in front of you today.)

近道をするために、どこかを横切ったことがありますか？ (Have you ever cut across somewhere to take a shortcut?)

「不安が脳裏を横切った」経験について教えてください。 (Tell me about a time when 'anxiety crossed your mind.')

もし空を自由に横切って飛べるとしたら、どこへ行きたいですか？ (If you could fly freely across the sky, where would you want to go?)

自分の人生を横切った重要な人物について書いてください。 (Write about an important person who crossed paths with your life.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. For bridges, 'wataritte' (from wataru) is the standard word. 'Yokogitte' implies cutting across the width of the bridge, which is physically impossible or weird in most cases.

It's descriptive. If you want to be polite, say 'mae wo shitsureishimasu' (Excuse me for passing in front of you). 'Yokogiru' is more for describing the action itself.

Always use 'wo' for the space you are crossing (e.g., michi wo yokogiru). If you are crossing 'in front of' someone, use 'no mae wo yokogiru'.

In very poetic or literary contexts (C1/C2), yes, like 'crossing through the ages,' but it's not common in daily speech.

'Yokogiru' is the dictionary form (verb). 'Yokogitte' is the te-form, used to connect the crossing action to another verb, like 'yokogitte itta' (crossed and went).

No. Use 'kesu' (to erase) or 'sen wo hiku' (to draw a line). 'Yokogiru' is only for physical space or visual fields.

Yes! It's used when a player runs across the field or when a ball passes across the goal area.

Shibafu wo yokogiranai de kudasai (芝生を横切らないでください).

Often, yes. If you are 'cutting across' a park instead of walking around it, 'yokogiru' is the perfect word.

Yes, 'nouri wo yokogiru' is a common idiom meaning a thought or feeling flashed across your mind.