1.
to pass through, to go under, to duck under
To move through a narrow opening, under a low barrier, or through a gate or tunnel.
トンネルを潜る。
Go through a tunnel.
鳥居を潜って境内に入った。
I passed through the torii gate and entered the shrine grounds.
フェンスの下を潜って向こう側に出た。
I ducked under the fence and came out on the other side.
2.
to survive, to come through (danger/difficulty)
To get through a dangerous or difficult situation, implying having survived many hardships.
修羅場を潜ってきた。
I've been through many tough situations.
危険を潜り抜けた。
I made it through the danger.
何度も死線を潜り抜けてきたベテラン兵士だ。
He's a veteran soldier who has survived many life-threatening situations.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle: トンネルを潜る
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 鳥居を潜る: to pass through a torii gate
- トンネルを潜る: to go through a tunnel
- 暖簾を潜る: to enter through a noren curtain
- 修羅場を潜る: to go through tough times
- 潜り抜ける: to make it through, to slip through
NOTE: Not to be confused with 潜る (same kanji, different reading), which means to dive underwater or to hide.