Translation guide
The English verb 'overcome' covers a range of meanings: defeating obstacles, conquering emotions, prevailing over difficulties, and being overwhelmed by sensations. This guide organizes natural Japanese expressions by these core meanings.
To successfully deal with and move past a problem, challenge, or difficult situation.
The most common and versatile verb for overcoming difficulties, obstacles, or hardships. Literally 'climb over', it implies actively getting past something.
彼は多くの困難を乗り越えて成功した。
He overcame many difficulties and succeeded.
この壁を乗り越える方法を考えよう。
Let's think of a way to overcome this obstacle.
Formal and often used for overcoming personal weaknesses, fears, or abstract challenges. Implies conquering or mastering something.
彼女は高所恐怖症を克服した。
She overcame her fear of heights.
自分の弱点を克服することが大切だ。
It's important to overcome your own weaknesses.
Literally 'strike and win', used for overcoming adversity, temptation, or a strong opponent. Has a nuance of fighting and winning.
彼は誘惑に打ち勝った。
He overcame temptation.
Means 'break through', used for overcoming a barrier, deadlock, or difficult phase. Often used in business or technical contexts.
難局を突破するために全力を尽くした。
We did our best to overcome the difficult situation.
To gain control over a strong feeling or emotional state.
The standard verb for conquering personal emotions or psychological issues.
彼は不安を克服しようと努力している。
He is trying to overcome his anxiety.
Also used for emotional hurdles, especially when moving past sadness or trauma.
悲しみを乗り越えて、前に進もう。
Let's overcome the sadness and move forward.
Means 'suppress emotions'. Used when you need to hold back feelings rather than fully conquer them.
彼は怒りを抑えるのに苦労した。
He struggled to overcome his anger.
To be strongly affected by a feeling or physical sensation, often involuntarily.
Literally 'attacked by ~', used for sudden, overwhelming emotions or sensations like fear, sleepiness, or doubt.
突然、不安に襲われた。
I was suddenly overcome with anxiety.
彼は睡魔に襲われて、眠ってしまった。
He was overcome by sleepiness and fell asleep.
Means 'become full of ~', used for being overcome with positive emotions like gratitude or joy.
感謝の気持ちでいっぱいになった。
I was overcome with gratitude.
Means 'cannot bear ~', used when overcome by an unbearable emotion or physical sensation.
彼はその悲しみに堪えられなかった。
He was overcome by the sadness.
To defeat someone in a competition, battle, or conflict.
Directly means 'defeat' or 'beat down'. Used for overcoming an opponent in sports, war, or argument.
彼は強敵を打ち負かした。
He overcame a strong opponent.
Means 'to bring down' or 'defeat', often used for enemies or rivals. Can be physical or metaphorical.
Simple 'win'. When context is clear, it can imply overcoming an opponent.
彼はライバルに勝った。
He overcame his rival.
Both mean 'overcome', but 乗り越える (のりこえる) is more about getting past external obstacles or hardships, while 克服する (こくふくする) focuses on conquering internal weaknesses or abstract challenges. 乗り越える is more common in daily conversation.
越える (こえる) means 'cross over' or 'exceed', but it does not carry the nuance of overcoming a difficulty. Use 乗り越える or 克服する instead.
They finally overcame the enemy.