渡(わた)り

わたり
noun
crossing; span; connection
movement
1. crossing; passage
The act or place of crossing over something, such as a river, road, or body of water.
川(かわ)の渡(わた)りは危険(きけん)だ。
The river crossing is dangerous.
渡(わた)り鳥(どり)が南(みなみ)へ飛(と)んでいく季節(きせつ)になった。
The season has come for migratory birds to fly south.
この橋(はし)は昔(むかし)から渡(わた)りの要所(ようしょ)として使(つか)われてきた。
This bridge has been used as an important crossing point since ancient times.
2. connection; dealings; opportunity
A convenient connection or opportunity, especially in the expression 渡りに船 (a boat at the crossing — a fortunate opportunity arriving at just the right moment).
渡(わた)りに船(ふね)とはこのことだ。
This is exactly what they mean by 'a boat at the crossing.'
引(ひ)っ越(こ)したいと思(おも)っていたら、友人(ゆうじん)が部屋(へや)を紹介(しょうかい)してくれて、渡(わた)りに船(ふね)だった。
I was wanting to move, and then a friend introduced me to an apartment — it was perfect timing.
転職(てんしょく)を考(かんが)えていた矢先(やさき)にスカウトの電話(でんわ)があり、まさに渡(わた)りに船(ふね)だった。
Just when I was thinking about changing jobs, I got a scouting call — it was truly a godsend.

Usage

The noun form of the verb 渡(わた)る (to cross). Used in compounds and set expressions.

Key expression

渡(わた)りに船(ふね): literally "a boat at the crossing" — describes a fortunate opportunity that appears at exactly the right moment. Similar to the English "just what the doctor ordered" or "a godsend."

Compounds

  • 渡(わた)り鳥(どり): migratory bird
  • 渡(わた)り廊下(ろうか): covered walkway connecting buildings
  • 渡(わた)り歩(ある)く: to wander from place to place
  • 渡(わた)りに船(ふね): a fortunate coincidence

Related Words

Related: 渡(わた)る (to cross (verb))
Compare: 天下(あまくだ)り (descent from heaven)
general
Added 2026.2.26 19:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13621_watari