峠(とうげ)

とうげ

noun

mountain pass, peak, crisis

1. mountain pass

The highest point of a road crossing mountains.

峠(とうげ)を越(こ)える。

To cross a mountain pass.

峠(とうげ)の道(みち)は急(きゅう)だった。

The mountain pass road was steep.

峠(とうげ)に茶屋(ちゃや)があった。

There was a teahouse at the mountain pass.

2. peak, crisis point

The most critical or intense point of something.

病気(びょうき)の峠(とうげ)を越(こ)えた。

The illness passed its crisis point.

仕事(しごと)の峠(とうげ)は過(す)ぎたので少(すこ)し楽(らく)になった。

The busiest period at work has passed, so things have gotten a bit easier.

台風(たいふう)の峠(とうげ)は越(こ)えたようだ。

It seems the worst of the typhoon has passed.

Etymology

The highest point when crossing a mountain
山道(やまみち)の峠(とうげ) (mountain pass)

Figurative meaning

The most critical or turning point
病気(びょうき)の峠(とうげ) (crisis point of illness)
仕事(しごと)の峠(とうげ) (peak of work)

Common expressions

峠(とうげ)を越(こ)える: to pass the peak/get over the worst
峠(とうげ)を越(こ)す: same meaning, variant form
峠(とうげ)道(みち): mountain pass road

Writing

峠(とうげ) is a Japanese-made kanji (国字(こくじ)): 山(やま) + 上(うえ) + 下(した).

Related Words

Related: 坂道(さかみち) (slope)

general

Added 2026.1.9 21:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

02000/02227_touge