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.
There is a book on the desk.
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.
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'.
Covering an entire area or period.
Indicating the topic or subject of discussion, worry, etc.
Formal pattern meaning 'about' or 'concerning'. Used in many contexts.
Using a medium or method, like phone or internet.
Particle indicating means. 'Over the phone' is 電話で.
Let's talk over the phone.
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).
The meeting is over.
Snow covered the ground.
鍋にふたをかぶせてください。
Please put a lid over the pot.
Be careful when crossing the road.
Cross over the bridge and turn right.
To go over a physical obstacle like a mountain or fence, or exceed a limit.
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.
There is a hospital over the river.
Over 100 people came to this event.
You can participate if you are over 18.
Verb meaning 'to exceed'. Used with numbers or limits.
The temperature went over 30 degrees.
To be left over, to be in excess. Often used for leftover items or time.
I have a little money left over.
Class is already over.
I'll call you when the game is over.
To be finished, settled, or taken care of. Often for tasks or obligations.
Let's go for a drink when work is over.
Attach to verb stem to mean 'finish doing'. Transitive, emphasizes completion.
I finished writing the report.
Please say it over again.
Verb meaning 'to repeat' or 'do over'. Used for actions done repeatedly.
I repeated the same thing over and over.
Attach to verb stem to mean 'do over' or 'redo', often to correct something.
Please write it over.
It rained all day over.
Adverb meaning 'here and there', 'all over the place'.
The room is messy all over.
Let's discuss over that issue.
More formal than について, often used in business or official contexts.
Please contact us over this matter.
Used for disputes or debates 'over' something. Often in news.
Debate continues over the new law.
インターネットで注文した。
I ordered it over the internet.
Used for doing something over/through a physical barrier, like a wall or shoulder.
He spoke to me over his shoulder.
用事が済んだ。
My errand is over/done.