The Kanji: 越 (Etsu / Ko)
The kanji 越 (read as Etsu or ko) carries the core meaning of "to cross over," "to go beyond," "to surpass," or "to transcend." It powerfully combines the radical for "walking" (辶) with the component for "axe" (戉), suggesting the determined action of crossing a boundary or obstacle, even a difficult one.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 引っ越す (hikkosu)
Meaning: To move house or relocate. This is one of the most common daily uses of this kanji.
Example Sentence: 来月、東京に引っ越します。
(Raigetsu, Tōkyō ni hikkoshimasu.)
"I will move to Tokyo next month."
2. 超越 (chōetsu)
Meaning: Transcendence; going beyond normal limits.
Example Sentence: 彼の能力は凡人を超越している。
(Kare no nōryoku wa bonjin o chōetsu shite iru.)
"His abilities transcend those of an ordinary person."
3. 越える (koeru)
Meaning: The verb meaning to cross over (a border, mountain) or surpass (a limit).
Example Sentence: 国境を越えて友情を築く。
(Kokkyō o koete yūjō o kizuku.)
"Building friendships that cross national borders."
4. 越南 (Etsunan)
Meaning: This is the Japanese name for Vietnam. It literally means "Beyond the South," reflecting the country's geographical location from the historical Chinese perspective.
In summary, 越 is a dynamic kanji representing movement beyond physical or conceptual boundaries, from the practical act of moving house (引っ越す) to the philosophical idea of transcendence (超越).