Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "わたる", "渡る", "越える", "よぎる"
All represent the core concept "cross", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
わたる
わたる (wataru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
渡る
わたる (wataru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
越える
こえる (koeru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
よぎる
よぎる (yogiru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "cross" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "わたる", "渡る", "越える", "よぎる" based on context.
- わたる (わたる (wataru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to cross" and is used when Used for crossing roads, bridges, rivers, etc. Often used with the particle 「を」.
- 渡る (わたる (wataru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to cross" and is used when To cross over a linear obstacle like a bridge, road, river, or street. Usually implies moving from one side to the other..
- 越える (こえる (koeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to cross over; to pass over; to go beyond" and is used when Used for physical barriers.
- よぎる (よぎる (yogiru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to cross (one's mind), to pass by, to flash across" and is used when Often used when thoughts, doubts, or images briefly pass through one's mind. Can also mean to pass across a physical space, but less common for N2..
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.
Context for "渡る"
信号をよく見て、道を渡りましょう。
Look carefully at the traffic light and cross the road.
Context for "越える"
私たちは山を越えて、隣の村へ行った。
We crossed the mountain and went to the next village.
Context for "よぎる"
彼の顔がふと私の頭をよぎった。
His face suddenly flashed across my mind.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "to cross" in the context: "I cross the traffic light and go to the store.".