Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pass" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pass", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
過ぎる
すぎる (sugiru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
経つ
たつ (tatsu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pass" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 過ぎる and 経つ.
In Japanese, 過ぎる (すぎる (sugiru)) is typically associated with "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.
On the other hand, 経つ (たつ (tatsu)) maps to "to pass (of time)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 時間が「経過する」ことを表す自動詞です。特定の時点からどれくらいの時間が経過したかを述べるときに用いられます。/ An intransitive verb indicating that time 'passes'. Used to state how much time has passed since a specific point.. A literal translation of "pass" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "経つ"
日本に来てからもう5年が経った。
It has already been 5 years since I came to Japan.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "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。" (Meaning: "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.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "過ぎる" fits here because it means "to pass; to exceed; to go beyond; to be too..." in the context of: "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.". "経つ" represents "to pass (of time)".