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.
He overcame many difficulties and succeeded.
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.
She overcame her fear of heights.
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.
He overcame temptation.
Means 'break through', used for overcoming a barrier, deadlock, or difficult phase. Often used in business or technical contexts.
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.
He is trying to overcome his anxiety.
Also used for emotional hurdles, especially when moving past sadness or trauma.
Means 'suppress emotions'. Used when you need to hold back feelings rather than fully conquer them.
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.
I was suddenly overcome with anxiety.
He was overcome by sleepiness and fell asleep.
Means 'become full of ~', used for being overcome with positive emotions like gratitude or joy.
I was overcome with gratitude.
Means 'cannot bear ~', used when overcome by an unbearable emotion or physical sensation.
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.
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.
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.
Let's overcome the sadness and move forward.
He struggled to overcome his anger.
彼らはついに敵を倒した。
They finally overcame the enemy.
He overcame his rival.