越す

• Reading: こす
• Romaji: kosu
• Kanji breakdown: 越 (etsu/ko) — cross over, exceed, move beyond
• Pronunciation: /ko.sɯ/

Meaning

To cross; to pass through; to go over; to move past a point or threshold.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the す row. While similar to 越える, 越す often appears in compound verb expressions: 引っ越す (to move house), 追い越す (to overtake), 乗り越す (to ride past one's stop). Also used for enduring hardship: 冬を越す (to survive the winter). Very productive as a compound verb element.

Examples

1. 来月、東京に引っ越すことになった。 I'm going to be moving to Tokyo next month.
2. 高速道路で前の車を追い越した。 I passed the car ahead of me on the highway.
3. 厳しい冬を越して春がやっと来た。 Spring has finally arrived after getting through a harsh winter.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, travel, compound verbs

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 越 combines 走 (run) and 戉 (a phonetic element). Historically meant crossing terrain or borders, and expanded to figurative uses of passing through or beyond.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal