Translation guide
How to express the English phrasal verb 'get through' in Japanese, covering meanings like finishing something difficult, making contact, passing through, and enduring.
To manage to finish a task, period of time, or difficult situation.
Emphasizes completing something through effort, often a challenging task or goal.
この仕事を何とかやり遂げた。
I somehow got through this work.
To overcome a difficult period or situation, like a crisis or tough week.
今週を乗り切れば、来週は楽になる。
If I get through this week, next week will be easier.
Simply means 'to finish' something. Less nuance of difficulty, but common for tasks.
今日中にこの書類を終わらせなければならない。
I have to get through these documents by the end of today.
To successfully reach someone via telephone or other communication.
Literally 'the phone connects'. Used when you finally get through to someone after trying.
何度もかけて、やっと電話がつながった。
I called many times and finally got through.
To be able to contact someone, not limited to phone calls. Implies reaching them successfully.
彼に連絡がつかなくて心配している。
I'm worried because I can't get through to him.
Can mean 'to get through' for calls, but also 'to be understood'. Context-dependent.
To move through a crowded area, checkpoint, or obstacle.
To pass through a place, often implying moving from one side to the other, like a crowd or tunnel.
人混みを通り抜けるのに時間がかかった。
It took time to get through the crowd.
Formal word for 'pass through', used for checkpoints, exams, or gates.
検問所を通過するのにパスポートが必要だ。
You need a passport to get through the checkpoint.
Casual way to say 'go through' or 'exit', often used for tunnels or alleys.
To live through a hardship, illness, or emotional pain.
To endure something completely until it's over, emphasizing perseverance.
彼は長い闘病生活を耐え抜いた。
He got through a long illness.
To survive or live through something, often life-threatening.
To overcome a difficulty or emotional hurdle, similar to 'get over'.
To go through a supply of something quickly or completely.
To use something up completely.
今月の予算を使い切ってしまった。
I got through this month's budget already.
Formal term for 'consume', suitable for resources or energy.
この車はガソリンを大量に消費する。
This car gets through a lot of gas.
The English phrasal verb 'get through' has no single Japanese equivalent. Always choose the expression based on the specific meaning you want to convey. Using a direct translation like 通る (tooru) for 'get through a task' will sound unnatural.
電話が通じない。
I can't get through on the phone.
When you get through this tunnel, you can see the ocean.
戦争を生き抜いた人々の話を聞いた。
I heard stories of people who got through the war.
悲しみを乗り越えるには時間がかかる。
It takes time to get through grief.