峠
Meanings
mountain pass; ridge; highest point on a road
Refers to a physical mountain pass or the highest point along a mountain road. Also used as a suffix in place names (e.g., 箱根峠).
After crossing the pass, a small village came into view.
This road continues as a steep slope up to the pass.
peak; worst; crisis; critical point
Figurative extension: the peak or most difficult part of a situation, such as the height of summer, the worst stage of an illness, or a critical juncture. Often used in phrases like 峠を越す (to pass the peak/crisis).
It seems the worst of the heat has passed.
They said tonight will be the crisis point of the illness.
Usage patterns
- 峠にさしかかるto approach/reach the mountain pass
The car reached the mountain pass, and a series of sharp curves followed.
- 峠を迎えるto reach the peak/critical point (of an illness, situation, etc.)
The typhoon is expected to reach its peak tonight.
- 峠の茶屋a rest-stop teahouse at a mountain pass
We took a break at the teahouse at the pass before descending the mountain.
Expressions
- 峠越えcrossing a mountain pass
- 峠を越すpass the peak; get through the hardest part; be over the worst · cross a mountain pass
- 峠を越えるpass the peak; get through the hardest part; be over the worst · cross a mountain pass
- 洞ヶ峠を決め込むwait and see which way the wind blows; sit on the fence; wait for a good opportunity