横切る

• Reading: よこぎる
• Romaji: yokogiru
• Kanji breakdown: 横 (ō/yoko) — side, horizontal; 切 (setsu/ki) — cut
• Pronunciation: /jo.ko.ɡi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To cross; to traverse; to cut across. To move across something from one side to the other.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugated with the る row. Used for crossing streets, fields, or any space. Can also describe something passing across a view (鳥が空を横切る = a bird crosses the sky). Emphasizes lateral movement, cutting across rather than following a path.

Examples

1. 信号を確認してから道路を横切った。 I checked the traffic light and then crossed the road.
2. 猫が突然目の前を横切った。 A cat suddenly darted across in front of me.
3. 公園を横切ると駅に早く着く。 If you cut across the park, you'll get to the station faster.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, traffic, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 横 (yoko, side/horizontal) and 切る (kiru, to cut). Literally 'to cut sideways' — moving across something perpendicularly.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal