Quick answer
越 is the kanji for "Exceed". Its reading is こ.す (kosu). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Exceed
Also : Surpass · Cross over · Move to · Vietnam
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
12 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 越 represents 'SURPASS'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of surpass.
On-reading: えつ — remember this sound by associating it with surpass. Kun-reading: こ.す.
Example Sentences
予想を越える結果でした。
よそうをこえるけっかでした。
It was a result that exceeded expectations.
国境を越えました。
こっきょうをこえました。
I crossed the border.
Vocabulary using 越
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
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