Japanese word

越える

Pronunciation

Romajikoeru

Meaning

  • verbcross

Example

山を越えます。yama o ko e ma su

I cross over the mountain.

Illustration for 越える (cross)

More examples

日が沈む前に山を越えました。hi ga shizu mu mae ni yama o ko e ma shi ta

We crossed the mountain before sunset.

Core concept

Describes moving from one side of a boundary or obstacle to the other, often by going over it.

Common phrases

  • 川を越えるkawa o ko e ru

    cross a river

  • 海を越えるumi o ko e ru

    cross the sea

  • 限界を越えるgen kai o ko e ru

    go beyond the limit

Similar words

渡るwataru: To move across a road, river, bridge, or other space from one side to the other.
越すkosu: To go over a mountain, pass, or other boundary to reach the other side.

Definition in Japanese

ある場所や物の上を通って、向こう側へ行く。a ru ba sho ya mono no ue o tō tte mu kō gawa e i ku

Word origin

越える (koeru) is a native Japanese verb historically related to 越す (kosu, "to cross or pass over"); 越える functions as the intransitive member of this verb pair.

Usage tips

  • The homophone 超える (koeru) often means exceeding a numerical or abstract limit, while 越える (koeru) more often presents a boundary or obstacle as something passed.

Other meanings

  • go beyondverb

Related words

  • 越えkoecrossingnoun

Word lists with this word