Translation guide
The English verb "penetrate" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical piercing to abstract understanding. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents by context.
To make a hole in or pass through a solid object or barrier
The most direct equivalent for passing completely through something, like a bullet through a wall.
弾丸が壁を貫通した。
The bullet penetrated the wall.
To pierce and go through, often with force; implies breaking through a surface.
槍が盾を突き抜けた。
The spear penetrated the shield.
To pierce or penetrate, often used for stabbing or piercing with a sharp object.
剣が敵の鎧を貫いた。
The sword penetrated the enemy's armor.
To permeate or seep through, used for liquids or abstract things like ideas.
水が土壌に浸透した。
Water penetrated the soil.
To gain access to a place or group, often secretly or with difficulty
To infiltrate or sneak into, especially for espionage or undercover work.
スパイが敵国に潜入した。
The spy penetrated enemy territory.
To gradually infiltrate or spread into an organization or market.
その企業は新市場に浸透した。
The company penetrated the new market.
To get into or worm one's way into a place or group.
To comprehend deeply or see through a mystery
To see through something, like a disguise or a lie; to penetrate the truth.
彼はすぐに私の嘘を見抜いた。
He quickly penetrated my lie.
General word for understanding; can be used for penetrating a difficult concept.
彼は難解な理論を理解した。
He penetrated the difficult theory.
To realize or become aware of a deeper truth; often spiritual or intuitive.
To be present throughout an area or group, like a smell or feeling
To fill or permeate a space, often used for smells, smoke, or atmosphere.
煙が部屋に充満した。
Smoke penetrated the room.
To soak through or permeate deeply, often used for cold, feelings, or liquids.
寒さが骨まで染み渡った。
The cold penetrated to my bones.
To permeate or spread through, as with ideas or liquids.
新しい思想が社会に浸透した。
New ideas penetrated society.
To insert the penis into the vagina or anus during sex
The standard clinical/formal term for sexual penetration.
性交時にペニスを膣に挿入する。
During intercourse, the penis penetrates the vagina.
Common euphemism in casual speech; literally 'to put in'.
彼は彼女の中に入れた。
He penetrated her.
English uses 'penetrate' for many abstract concepts (e.g., 'penetrate the mystery'). Direct translation with 貫通する or 突き抜ける would sound unnatural. Use verbs like 見抜く (see through) or 理解する (understand) instead.
Both mean 'to go through,' but 貫通する focuses on the result of passing through completely, while 突き抜ける emphasizes the action of breaking through a surface. 貫通する is more technical, 突き抜ける more vivid.
彼は敵陣にうまく入り込んだ。
He successfully penetrated the enemy camp.
He penetrated the truth of life.