Translation guide
The English phrase 'going through' can express physical passage, experiencing a difficult period, or completing a process. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
To express that someone is enduring or suffering through a hard situation, such as a breakup, illness, or tough phase.
A neutral, widely applicable way to say 'going through (an experience)'. Attach to a noun describing the difficulty.
彼は離婚を経験している。
He is going through a divorce.
Emphasizes being in the middle of a difficult situation. Casual to neutral.
今、大変な時期の真っ最中です。
I'm going through a tough time right now.
Focuses on enduring or withstanding a hardship. Slightly more formal or literary.
彼女はつらい治療に耐えている。
She is going through painful treatment.
Implies actively trying to overcome the difficulty. More proactive nuance.
彼は失恋を乗り越えようとしている。
He is going through a heartbreak (and trying to get over it).
To describe moving through a place, such as a tunnel, gate, or city.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to pass through'. Use with を to mark the space passed through.
車がトンネルを通った。
The car went through the tunnel.
Slightly more formal, often used for passing through checkpoints or without stopping.
電車は駅を通過した。
The train went through the station (without stopping).
Emphasizes going completely through and emerging on the other side.
森を通り抜けた。
We went through the forest.
To express going through steps, paperwork, or formalities.
Standard way to say 'go through the procedure/paperwork for something'.
ビザの手続きをしなければならない。
I have to go through the visa process.
Formal/literary, often used for stages or steps in a process.
厳しい審査を経て、合格した。
After going through a strict screening, I passed.
To express going through items, documents, or belongings, often to find or check something.
General verb for examining or looking through something.
書類を調べている。
I'm going through the documents.
Literally 'pass one's eyes over', meaning to look through or skim.
レポートに目を通した。
I went through the report.
Do not directly translate 'going through' as 行っている (itteiru) or 通っている (kayotteiru) for emotional or procedural meanings. These verbs refer to physical movement or regular attendance, not enduring or processing.