Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pass" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pass", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
合格する
ごうかくする (goukaku suru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
過ぎる
すぎる (sugiru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pass" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 合格する and 過ぎる.
In Japanese, 合格する (ごうかくする (goukaku suru)) is typically associated with "to pass (an exam); to succeed" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 試験やテストに受かることを意味します。努力の結果として目標を達成した時に使われます。.
On the other hand, 過ぎる (すぎる (sugiru)) maps to "to pass; to exceed; to go beyond; to be too..." (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to physical time passing, values exceeding limits, or suffix 'すぎる' meaning doing something to excess. A literal translation of "pass" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "合格する"
彼はJLPT N3に合格した。
He passed the JLPT N3.
Bilingual Context for "過ぎる"
オフィスの時計が定時の午後6時を大きく_______頃、彼は緊急のサーバーバグ修正を完了させて大きく息を吐き出しました。
When the clock in the office greatly passed the regular hours of 6 p.m., he completed the emergency server bug correction and exhaled a big sigh.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はJLPT N3に合格した。" (Meaning: "He passed the JLPT N3.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "合格する" fits here because it means "to pass (an exam); to succeed" in the context of: "He passed the JLPT N3.". "過ぎる" represents "to pass; to exceed; to go beyond; to be too...".