Translation guide
To move from one side to the other, typically over a surface, through a space, or across a boundary. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being crossed and the manner of crossing.
To go from one side to the other of something like a street, river, or open space.
The most common verb for crossing something like a road, bridge, or river. Focuses on moving across a surface or over an obstacle.
道を渡るときは左右を確認してください。
Please look both ways when you go across the street.
橋を渡ってすぐ右に曲がってください。
Go across the bridge and turn right immediately.
To cut across, go across a space (often implying a diagonal or direct path). More about traversing an area than crossing a specific line.
公園を横切って駅に向かった。
I went across the park to the station.
To go over or across a mountain, border, or obstacle. Emphasizes surpassing a barrier.
山を越えると小さな村があった。
After going across the mountain, there was a small village.
To go from one side of a political or abstract boundary to the other.
Used for crossing borders, limits, or thresholds. Can be physical or metaphorical.
国境を越えるのにビザが必要です。
You need a visa to go across the border.
Can also be used for crossing a border, especially when it involves a physical crossing like a river border.
To move from one side of an indoor or enclosed area to the other.
Literally 'go to the other side'. Natural for going across a room or hall.
彼は部屋の向こう側に行った。
He went across the room.
To cut across a space, like a room or lobby.
ロビーを横切って出口に向かった。
I went across the lobby to the exit.
To travel over water from one landmass to another.
Used for crossing seas or oceans, often by boat or plane.
船で海を渡る。
Go across the sea by ship.
Formal term for traversing or crossing a large area, like an ocean or continent.
飛行機で太平洋を横断する。
Go across the Pacific Ocean by plane.
渡る (わたる) is for crossing a linear obstacle like a road, bridge, or river. 越える (こえる) is for going over a barrier like a mountain or border. 横切る (よこぎる) is for cutting across an open area like a park or room.
Simply saying 行く (いく) does not convey the meaning of crossing. You need a specific verb like 渡る or 横切る to express the action of going across something.
The illegal immigrants went across the river to cross the border.