Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cross" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cross", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
わたる
わたる (wataru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
食い違う
くいちがう (kuichigau)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cross" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between わたる and 食い違う.
In Japanese, わたる (わたる (wataru)) is typically associated with "to cross" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for crossing roads, bridges, rivers, etc. Often used with the particle 「を」.
On the other hand, 食い違う (くいちがう (kuichigau)) maps to "to cross each other, to conflict, to differ, to disagree" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used when opinions, statements, accounts, or expectations do not match, are inconsistent, or contradict each other. Often used with a preposition like 「と」 or 「が」.. A literal translation of "cross" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "わたる"
信号を渡って、お店に行きます。
I cross the traffic light and go to the store.
Bilingual Context for "食い違う"
彼らの話はあちこちで食い違っていた。
Their stories were conflicting in various places.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "信号を渡って、お店に行きます。" (Meaning: "I cross the traffic light and go to the store.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "わたる" fits here because it means "to cross" in the context of: "I cross the traffic light and go to the store.". "食い違う" represents "to cross each other, to conflict, to differ, to disagree".