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.
Please look both ways when you go across the street.
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.
I went across the park to the station.
To go over or across a mountain, border, or obstacle. Emphasizes surpassing a barrier.
After going across the mountain, there was a small village.
To go from one side of a political or abstract boundary to the other.
To move from one side of an indoor or enclosed area to the other.
To travel over water from one landmass to another.
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.
ロビーを横切って出口に向かった。
I went across the lobby to the exit.