Japanese word

越す

Pronunciation

Romajikosu

Meaning

  • verbcross

Example

山を越します。yama o ko shi ma su

I cross the mountain.

Illustration for 越す (cross)

More examples

次の峠を越すと、村が見えます。tsugi no tōge o ko su to mura ga mi e ma su

When you cross the next mountain pass, you can see the village.

Core concept

Describes moving from one side of a mountain, boundary, or obstacle to the other side.

Common phrases

  • 山を越すyama o ko su

    cross a mountain

  • 峠を越すtōge o ko su

    cross a mountain pass

  • 国境を越すkok kyō o ko su

    cross a border

Similar words

越えるkoeru: To pass over a physical or figurative limit and go beyond it.
渡るwataru: To move across a road, river, bridge, or open space from one side to the other.
またぐmatagu: To step over a line, gap, or low obstacle, placing the feet on opposite sides.

Definition in Japanese

山や境界などを通り過ぎて、その向こう側へ行く。yama ya kyō kai na do o tō ri su gi te so no mu kō gawa e i ku

Word origin

越す (kosu) is a native Japanese verb recorded in Old Japanese with the basic sense "to pass over"; its modern meanings develop from this sense.

Usage tips

  • In 年を越す (toshi o kosu), 越す (kosu) means to pass into a new year, extending the physical idea of going over a boundary.

Other meanings

  • go oververb

Word lists with this word