‘趟过’ is a verb meaning 'to wade across' — to walk through shallow water (such as a river, stream, or flooded path) with water reaching at least the ankles or knees. The first character 趟 (tāng) originally refers to walking through something obstructive or difficult (like mud, snow, or water), and it carries that sense of effortful passage; 过 (guò) means 'to cross' or 'to go across', reinforcing the directional, completed action. Together, 趟过 emphasizes both the physical act of moving *through* water and successfully reaching the other side.

This word is commonly used in descriptive narratives about travel, outdoor adventures, rural life, or natural settings — especially when emphasizing perseverance or environmental conditions. It implies the water is shallow enough to walk through but deep or wide enough to require attention and effort. It’s not used for swimming or boating, nor for dry land crossings. While it can be used literally, it sometimes appears metaphorically in literary contexts to suggest overcoming a challenging transitional phase.