Translation and Meaning of: 渡る - wataru

The Japanese word 「渡る」 (wataru) is a widely used verb, whose main definition is "to cross" or "to go across." Its basic meaning involves the movement from one point to another, usually in the context of crossing something physical, such as a bridge, a road, or a river. However, its usage goes beyond the literal, including metaphorical connotations and cultural contexts.

Etymologically, 「渡る」 derives from the kanji 「渡」 which combines the radical 「氵」 (sanzui, indicating a relation to water) and the phonetic part 「度」 (do), suggesting the idea of passage or measure. This composition reflects its historical connection with the crossing of rivers and bodies of water, something essential in the daily life of ancient Japan. The pronunciation "wataru" is rooted in classical Japanese and remains unchanged, indicating its long history of use in the language.

In addition to its literal use, 「渡る」 also appears in figurative contexts. It can mean the transition between states or periods, as in the expression 「世を渡る」 (yo o wataru), which indicates "navigating through life." This verb is also found in compound forms, such as 「渡り鳥」 (wataridori), which means "migratory bird," symbolizing movement or change of location.

Grammatically, 「渡る」 is a verb of the group 五段 (godan) and can be conjugated in various forms to indicate tense, negation, or potentiality. For example, the te-form 「渡って」 (watte) is used in sentences to express consecutive or connected actions, while the potential form 「渡れる」 (watareru) indicates the ability to cross something. This demonstrates the versatility of this term in the Japanese language.

Vocabulary

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Verb conjugation of 渡る

• 渡る basic form
• 渡り masu shape
• 渡るな Negative Imperative Form
• 渡った Past form

Synonyms and similar words

• 渡す (Watasu) - Deliver, pass something from one person to another
• 越える (Koeru) - Surpass, cross a barrier or limit
• 通る (Tooru) - Passing through a place, being accepted, being used
• 横断する (Oudan suru) - Crossing, to cross something from side to side (like a street)

渡る

Romaji: wataru
Kana: わたる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: pass through; to cross

Meaning in English: to cross over;to go across

Definition: Go through rivers, roads, etc.

Example Sentences - (渡る) wataru

See below some example sentences:

鉄橋を渡ると風が心地よいです。

Tetsubashi wo wataru to kaze ga kokochi yoi desu

Crossing an iron bridge is pleasant with the wind.

The wind is comfortable when you cross the iron bridge.

• 鉄橋 - iron bridge
• を - object particle
• 渡る - atravessar
• と - connecting particle
• 風 - wind
• が - subject particle
• 心地よい - pleasant, comfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

海路を渡る。

Kairo wo wataru

Crossing the maritime route.

Cross the maritime road.

• 海路 - the way to the sea
• を - direct object particle
• 渡る - atravessar

川を渡る

Kawa wo wataru

Cross the river.

cross the river

• 川 - river
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 渡る - atravessar

船舶は海を渡る。

Funpaku wa umi wo wataru

Ships cross the sea.

The ship crosses the sea.

• 船舶 - means "ship" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "ship".
• 海 - Means "sea" in Japanese.
• を - object particle in Japanese, which indicates that "sea" is the direct object of the action.
• 渡る - means "to cross" or "to cross over" in Japanese, indicating the action the ship is taking.

歓声が響き渡った。

Kansei ga hibikiwatatta

The sound of applause and cheers echoed.

The applause echoed.

• 歓声 - Japanese word meaning "screams of joy" or "applause"
• が - Particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 響き渡った - Japanese verb meaning "echoed" or "resonated"

横断する道路を渡ってください。

Yokodan suru dōro o watatte kudasai

Please cross the road that cuts through.

Please cross the road to cross.

• 横断する - atravessar
• 道路 - estrada
• を - direct object particle
• 渡って - atravessando
• ください - Please

叫び声が響き渡った。

Sakebi goe ga hibikiwatatta

A scream echoed.

The screams echoed.

• 叫び声 - grito
• が - subject particle
• 響き渡った - ecoou

フェリーに乗って海を渡りたいです。

Ferii ni notte umi wo watari tai desu

I want to cross the sea on a ferry.

I want to cross the sea on a raft.

• フェリー (ferī) - ferry
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target of an action
• 乗って (notte) - gerund form of the verb "to ride"
• 海 (umi) - sea
• を (wo) - particle indicating the direct object of a verb
• 渡りたい (wataritai) - quer cruzar
• です (desu) - copula polida

ヨットで海を渡ろう。

Yotto de umi wo watarou

Let's cross the sea by yacht.

Let's cross the sea with a yacht.

• ヨット (yotto) - means "yacht" in Japanese
• で (de) - a particle indicating the means or method used to carry out the action
• 海 (umi) - means "sea" in Japanese
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action
• 渡ろう (watarou) - a verb form that indicates the intention to "cross" or "cross over"

船が海を渡っています。

Fune ga umi wo watatte imasu

The ship is crossing the sea.

The ship is crossing the sea.

• 船 - means "boat" in Japanese
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 海 - means "sea" in Japanese
• を - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 渡っています - verb meaning "to cross" or "to sail" in the present continuous tense