Translation guide
The English phrase "pass over" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: to skip or omit someone or something, to cross over a physical barrier, to die (euphemism), and to ignore or overlook. Each meaning has different natural Japanese expressions.
To not choose someone for a promotion, award, etc.; to leave something out or skip it.
A common, versatile way to say 'skip' or 'pass over' in the sense of omitting or bypassing. Can be used for people or things.
彼は昇進を飛ばされた。
He was passed over for promotion.
Let's skip that chapter and read the next one.
Means to leave out or skip, often intentionally. Slightly more casual than 飛ばす.
彼は会議で自分の意見を抜かされた。
He was passed over at the meeting (his opinion was skipped).
Means to omit or leave out, often for efficiency or because it's unnecessary. More formal than 飛ばす.
詳細は省いて要点だけ話してください。
Please skip the details and just tell me the main points.
To go over the top of something like a mountain, fence, or bridge.
The standard verb for crossing over a physical obstacle or boundary. Works for mountains, walls, rivers, etc.
彼らは山を越えて次の町へ行った。
They passed over the mountain to the next town.
ボールはフェンスを越えた。
The ball passed over the fence.
Specifically for crossing over something like a bridge, street, or river. Not used for mountains.
橋を渡ってください。
Please pass over the bridge.
A gentle or indirect way to say someone has died.
The most common polite euphemism for dying. Equivalent to 'pass away'.
彼は昨夜亡くなりました。
He passed away last night.
A formal euphemism, often used in obituaries or respectful contexts. Literally 'depart this world'.
祖父は先月他界しました。
My grandfather passed away last month.
Very formal and respectful, used for someone of high status or in official announcements.
社長が逝去されました。
The company president has passed away.
To deliberately not notice or pay attention to something, often a mistake or fault.
Means to overlook, miss, or let something pass. Can be intentional or accidental.
彼のミスを見逃してあげた。
I passed over his mistake (let it slide).
To overlook something leniently, to be generous and not make an issue of it.
今回は大目に見ましょう。
I'll pass over it this time.
To ignore deliberately. Stronger and more negative than 見逃す.
彼は私の質問を無視した。
He passed over my question (ignored it).
飛ばす is the most general for skipping or passing over. 抜かす implies intentional omission, often of a step or person. 省く is for omitting something unnecessary or for brevity, and is more formal.
Do not translate 'pass over' literally as パスオーバー. This is not used in Japanese. Use the appropriate verb depending on the meaning.