cross · surpass

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is えつ, and the kun readings are こす and こえる. It has 12 strokes and relates to crossing a boundary or moving beyond a place.
• Basic usage: 越える is read こえる, and 引っ越す is read ひっこす.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 越える / 引っ越す
  • 越える means cross or go over and is read こえる. It describes crossing a physical boundary such as a mountain pass or sea.
  • 急な峠を越えて隣の村へ向かった。 means “We crossed the steep mountain pass and headed for the neighboring village.”
  • 引っ越す means move or relocate and is read ひっこす. It describes leaving one residence and moving to another.
  • 先月、姉が海の見える町に引っ越した。 means “My older sister moved to a seaside town last month.”