过渡
guò dù · HSK 6
transition
⛴️ 过 (cross) + 渡 (ferry) = crossing over, hence transition
The first character 过 means to pass or cross, while 渡 means to ferry across water. Together they literally mean crossing by ferry, which extended to mean any kind of transition or interim passage from one state to another.
过 — 辶 walk radical + 呙 (phonetic)
过 combines the walking radical 辶, suggesting motion or passage, with 呙 serving as the phonetic component. Originally it depicted crossing or passing by on foot, which extended to meanings like 'to pass,' 'to cross over,' and later 'past' or 'excessive.' The simplified form replaces the traditional 過.
渡 — water radical 氵 + 度 (measure/cross)
渡 combines the water radical 氵 with 度, which provides the sound and suggests measuring or passing across. Originally it meant to cross a body of water, like fording a river or ferrying across. Over time it broadened to mean 'to pass through' any transition, including time or stages of life.