峠
mountain peak, mountain pass, climax, crest, (kokuji)
Readings
On'yomi
—
Kun'yomi
- とうげ
Meaning
峠 centers on the highest or most critical point of a path through mountains: a mountain pass or peak, and by extension the climax or crest of any journey or effort.
Most common words using 峠
- 峠とうげN2
(mountain) pass; highest point on a mountain road; ridge
- 大菩薩峠だいぼさつとうげ
The Sword of Doom (1966 film)
- 碓氷峠うすいとうげ
Usui Pass
- 峠を越えるとうげをこえる
to pass the peak (of something); to get through the most difficult part; to be over the worst (e.g. an illness)
- 峠を越すとうげをこす
to pass the peak (of something); to get through the most difficult part; to be over the worst (e.g. an illness)
- 峠バトルとうげバトル
mountain-pass street race
- 峠越えとうげごえ
crossing a mountain pass
- 峠道とうげみち
road over a mountain pass
- 洞ヶ峠を決め込むほらがとうげをきめこむ
to wait for a good opportunity; to come down on the right side of the fence; to see which way the cat jumps; to wait and see at Horagatoge
Study
Etymology
峠 is a Japanese kokuji (国字) created by combining 山 (mountain) with 上 (up) and 下 (down) to represent the point where a mountain path transitions from ascent to descent: a pass or peak.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is 山 (mountain). The right side stacks 上 (up) over 下 (down), showing the exact moment you go up and then down a mountain: the peak or pass.
Reading mnemonic
For とうげ, imagine reaching the mountain pass and seeing a toe-shaped gate: toe-gate -> とうげ. The toe marks the crest where you start going down.