Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pass" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pass", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
通る
とおる (tōru)
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 通る and 過ぎる.
In Japanese, 通る (とおる (tōru)) is typically associated with "to pass (by); to go through" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Used when something or someone moves from one point to another, often along a road, path, or through an opening. ある場所から別の場所へ移動する、またはある場所の中を通過するときに使います。.
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 "通る"
この道は車がよく通ります。
Cars often pass by on this road.
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: "この道は車がよく通ります。" (Meaning: "Cars often pass by on this road.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "通る" fits here because it means "to pass (by); to go through" in the context of: "Cars often pass by on this road.". "過ぎる" represents "to pass; to exceed; to go beyond; to be too...".