atravessar

Senses

1. 1.

   to cross

   to go across from one side to the other (street, bridge, border, etc.)

2. 2.

   to go through

   to pass through a period, phase, or experience

3. 3.

   to pierce, to penetrate

   to pass through something by piercing it

4. 4.

   to get in the way

   to block or obstruct someone's path

Examples

• "Olhe para os dois lados antes de atravessar a rua."

  Look both ways before crossing the street.

• "O país está atravessando uma crise econômica."

  The country is going through an economic crisis.

• "A bala atravessou a parede."

  The bullet pierced through the wall.

Usage

Very common verb in daily use. Often used with "a rua" (the street), "a ponte" (the bridge), or abstract nouns like "fase" (phase) and "momento" (moment). The reflexive form "atravessar-se" means to get in someone's way or to interfere.