渡过

• Pinyin: dù guò
• Hanzi breakdown: 渡 = 氵(water radical) + 度 (phonetic, measure/pass); 过 = 辶(movement) + 骨 simplified — to pass beyond a boundary

Meaning

To cross or pass over a body of water; figuratively, to get through or overcome a difficult period, crisis, or challenge.

Distinct from the near-homophone 度过 (to pass time). 渡过 implies crossing or surmounting something challenging — a river, a financial crisis, an emotional setback. The figurative sense is highly common in formal writing: 渡过难关 (get through a difficulty), 渡过危机 (survive a crisis).

Examples

1. 在全体员工的共同努力下，公司成功渡过了资金链断裂的危机。 With the joint efforts of all employees, the company successfully got through the crisis of a broken capital chain.
2. 古代先民靠竹筏渡过了这条湍急的大河，在对岸定居下来。 In ancient times, people crossed this raging river on bamboo rafts and settled on the other side.
3. 心理咨询师帮助她渡过了失去亲人的至暗时刻。 The counselor helped her get through the darkest period after losing a loved one.

Usage Guide

Context: crisis management, history, psychology

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 企业在寒冬中能否渡过难关，取决于其现金流管理和战略调整能力。(Whether a company can survive a difficult period depends on its cash flow management and strategic adjustment capabilities.)
• 当地居民依靠传统木船渡过江面，与外界保持联系已有数百年历史。(Local residents have relied on traditional wooden boats to cross the river and maintain contact with the outside world for hundreds of years.)

Don't Say

• 渡过一个快乐的假期 — for passing time pleasantly use 度过; 渡过 implies crossing something difficult or a physical waterway; say 度过了一个愉快的假期

Origin & History

渡 (cross water/ferry) + 过 (pass through)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal