How to say "penetrate" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 徹するてっするsuru verb (irregular), intransitive verbCovers something penetrating or sinking in thoroughly — cold soaking deep into the body, or an idea or instruction finally taking hold. The image is of something reaching the very core.
- 入り込むはいりこむgodan verb, intransitive verbCovers going or getting into a place or material — light coming into a room, roots growing into soil, an intruder getting in. The focus is on entering, not on forcing through.
- 貫くつらぬくgodan verb, transitive verbCovers piercing or going through something from one side to the other — a bullet through a wall, a road running straight through a forest. The image is of passing through without stopping.
- 突き破るつきやぶるgodan verb, transitive verbCovers breaking through something by thrusting or crashing — breaking through a door, a wall, or a barrier. The obstacle gives way or is destroyed, so it suggests forceful breakthrough rather than quiet passage.
- 貫き通すつらぬきとおすgodan verb, transitive verbCovers piercing or going all the way through to the far side, stressing that the passage is carried through to completion — an arrow passing clean through a target.
Choose 「徹する」 when something soaks or sinks in thoroughly, 「入り込む」 for going or getting into a place, 「貫く」 and 「貫き通す」 for piercing or going through, and 「突き破る」 for breaking through by force.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 徹するてっするto penetrate
- 入り込むはいりこむto go into
- 貫くつらぬくto go through
- 突き破るつきやぶるto break through
- 貫き通すつらぬきとおすto go through
- しみるto soak (into)
- 攻め込むせめこむto invade
- 見透かすみすかすto see through (a lie, scheme, etc.)
- 打ち抜くうちぬくto go through (e.g. a wall)
- 突き通るつきとおるto penetrate
- 染み渡るしみわたるto penetrate
- 突き通すつきとおすto pierce
- 射通すいとおすto pierce
- 突き抜くつきぬくto pierce
- 通すとおすto transmit (e.g. light, sound, etc.)
- 食い込むくいこむto eat into
- 通るとおるto penetrate
See also
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