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)