「横断する」と「横切る」の違い


Could you explain the difference between 通りを横断する and 道路を横切る？




Like a million other pairs of words, the big difference is that the on-yomi
word of Chinese origin ([横断]{おうだん} in this case) is **_more formal, technical,
academic, etc._** than its kun-yomi Yamato conterpart ([横切]{よこぎ}る). Here.
Yamato means "originally Japanese".

The same phenomenon occurs in English as well where words of Latin origin are
generally considered more formal and/or technical. "converse" vs. "chat",
"profound" vs. "deep", etc.

「[横断]{おうだん}する」 is the Sino loanword 「横断」 with 「する」 added to make it a verb.

「Yokogiru」 is an original Japanese word with no foreign influence. Both "yoko"
and "kiru" are originally Japanese words. It should " ** _sound_** " more
Japanese to Japanese-learners after a few months of study.

Thus, as far as meaning, 「横断する」 and 「横切る」 are synonymous at least when talking
about "crossing a street".

Finally, the original Japanese word 「横切る」 has an extra important meaning that
「横断する」 does not. It can be used when talking about " ** _idea/thought/emotion
crossing your mind_** ". Using 「横断する」 for this meaning is simply out of the
question.




Like a million other pairs of words, the big difference is that the on-yomi
word of Chinese origin ([横断]{おうだん} in this case) is **_more formal, technical,
academic, etc._** than its kun-yomi Yamato conterpart ([横切]{よこぎ}る). Here.
Yamato means "originally Japanese".

The same phenomenon occurs in English as well where words of Latin origin are
generally considered more formal and/or technical. "converse" vs. "chat",
"profound" vs. "deep", etc.

「[横断]{おうだん}する」 is the Sino loanword 「横断」 with 「する」 added to make it a verb.

「Yokogiru」 is an original Japanese word with no foreign influence. Both "yoko"
and "kiru" are originally Japanese words. It should " ** _sound_** " more
Japanese to Japanese-learners after a few months of study.

Thus, as far as meaning, 「横断する」 and 「横切る」 are synonymous at least when talking
about "crossing a street".

Finally, the original Japanese word 「横切る」 has an extra important meaning that
「横断する」 does not. It can be used when talking about " ** _idea/thought/emotion
crossing your mind_** ". Using 「横断する」 for this meaning is simply out of the
question.

