Japanese word

渡す

Pronunciation

Romajiwatasu

Meaning

  • verbpass, hand

Example

隣の人に塩を渡します。tonari no hito ni shio o wata shi ma su

I pass the salt to the person next to me.

Illustration for 渡す (pass)

More examples

これを先生に渡します。ko re o sen sei ni wata shi ma su

I will hand this to my teacher.

帰る前に、受付の人に書類を渡しました。kae ru mae ni uke tsuke no hito ni sho rui o wata shi ma shi ta

Before leaving, I handed the documents to the receptionist.

Core concept

渡す (watasu) centers on moving something across a boundary or from one's control so that another person can receive it.

Common phrases

  • 人に渡すhito ni wata su

    hand ___ to someone

  • 荷物を渡すni motsu o wata su

    hand over luggage

  • 現金を渡すgen kin o wata su

    hand over cash

Similar words

手渡すtewatasu: To give an object directly to another person by placing it in the person's hands.
差し出すsashidasu: To extend an object toward another person so that the person can take it.
回すmawasu: To move an object from one person to another in a group.

Definition in Japanese

物を相手や別の場所へ移し、そこに届かせる。mono o ai te ya betsu no ba sho e utsu shi so ko ni todo ka se ru

Word origin

As a native Japanese verb, 渡す (watasu) is the transitive counterpart of 渡る (wataru, "to cross"), expressing the act of making something reach the other side or another person.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 渡す (watasu) covers both passing an object across and handing it directly to another person, so it is not limited to a single physical passing motion.

Opposites

Related words

  • 渡し方watashikataway to hand overnoun
  • 渡し手watashitegivernoun

Word lists with this word