渡る

• Reading: わたる
• Romaji: wataru
• Kanji breakdown: 渡 (to/wata) — to cross, to ferry, to pass
• Pronunciation: /wa.ta.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To cross over; to go across. Used for crossing bridges, roads, rivers, and intersections.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb conjugated with the る ending (渡って, 渡った, 渡ります). Takes the particle を: 橋を渡る (cross a bridge), 道を渡る (cross a road). The transitive counterpart is 渡す (watasu — to hand over, to pass). Also used figuratively: 世を渡る (make one's way through life).

Examples

1. 信号が青になったら道を渡ります。 When the light turns green, I cross the street.
2. この橋を渡ると公園があります。 If you cross this bridge, there's a park.
3. 横断歩道を渡ってください。 Please use the crosswalk.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, traffic, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 渡 combines 氵 (water radical) with 度 (degree/crossing), originally meaning to cross a body of water — later extending to crossing any space.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal