Translation guide
The English word "over" has many meanings and uses. This guide organizes them by practical meaning, from spatial position to completion, with natural Japanese equivalents.
Indicating that something is physically above or covering something else.
General word for 'above' or 'on top of'. Use with に for location or の for possession.
机の上に本があります。
There is a book on the desk.
猫が車の上に乗っている。
A cat is sitting on top of the car.
Verb meaning 'to cover' or 'to spread over'. Used when something covers a surface.
To put something over/on top of something else, like a lid or cloth.
Movement or extension across a space, such as a road, river, or bridge.
Verb for crossing over something like a street, bridge, or river.
Indicating a quantity, age, or limit that is surpassed.
Attach to a number to mean 'more than' or 'over'. Formal and common in writing.
このイベントには100人以上の人が来ました。
Over 100 people came to this event.
Indicating that an event, activity, or state has ended.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to end' or 'to be over'. Use for events, classes, etc.
Doing something once more or multiple times.
Literally 'one more time'. Common for 'over again'.
もう一度言ってください。
Please say it over again.
Covering an entire area or period.
Attach to a place or time word to mean 'all over' or 'throughout'.
世界中を旅したい。
I want to travel all over the world.
一日中雨が降っていた。
It rained all day over.
Indicating the topic or subject of discussion, worry, etc.
Formal pattern meaning 'about' or 'concerning'. Used in many contexts.
その問題について話し合いましょう。
Let's discuss over that issue.
More formal than について, often used in business or official contexts.
Using a medium or method, like phone or internet.
Particle indicating means. 'Over the phone' is 電話で.
電話で話しましょう。
Let's talk over the phone.
インターネットで注文した。
I ordered it over the internet.
English 'over' has many idiomatic uses. Avoid directly translating it as a single Japanese word. Instead, identify the meaning (above, across, finished, etc.) and use the appropriate expression.
Both mean 'to be over/finished'. 終わる is for events and activities (classes, games). 済む is for tasks, duties, or things that need to be taken care of (work, errands).
Snow covered the ground.
鍋にふたをかぶせてください。
Please put a lid over the pot.
道路を渡るときは気をつけて。
Be careful when crossing the road.
橋を渡って右に曲がってください。
Cross over the bridge and turn right.
To go over a physical obstacle like a mountain or fence, or exceed a limit.
山を越えると小さな村があります。
Once you go over the mountain, there is a small village.
Pattern meaning 'over there' or 'on the other side of'. Used for location beyond a point.
川の向こうに病院があります。
There is a hospital over the river.
You can participate if you are over 18.
Verb meaning 'to exceed'. Used with numbers or limits.
気温が30度を超えた。
The temperature went over 30 degrees.
To be left over, to be in excess. Often used for leftover items or time.
お金が少し余った。
I have a little money left over.
授業はもう終わりました。
Class is already over.
試合が終わったら電話します。
I'll call you when the game is over.
To be finished, settled, or taken care of. Often for tasks or obligations.
仕事が済んだら飲みに行こう。
Let's go for a drink when work is over.
Attach to verb stem to mean 'finish doing'. Transitive, emphasizes completion.
レポートを書き終えた。
I finished writing the report.
Verb meaning 'to repeat' or 'do over'. Used for actions done repeatedly.
同じことを何度も繰り返した。
I repeated the same thing over and over.
Attach to verb stem to mean 'do over' or 'redo', often to correct something.
書き直してください。
Please write it over.
Adverb meaning 'here and there', 'all over the place'.
部屋の中があちこち散らかっている。
The room is messy all over.
この件に関してご連絡ください。
Please contact us over this matter.
Used for disputes or debates 'over' something. Often in news.
新しい法律を巡って議論が続いている。
Debate continues over the new law.
Used for doing something over/through a physical barrier, like a wall or shoulder.
肩越しに話しかけた。
He spoke to me over his shoulder.