通过

• Pinyin: tōng guò
• Hanzi breakdown: 通 = 辶 (walk radical) + 甬 (path, phonetic), meaning 'to pass through/connect'; 过 = 辶 (walk radical) + 寸 (inch), meaning 'to cross/pass'

Meaning

Through; to pass through; by means of. Used to indicate passing or achieving something.

As a verb, 通过 means to pass through a place or to pass an exam, review, or approval process. As a preposition, it means 'by means of' or 'through' a method or channel. Very versatile and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese: 通过考试 (pass an exam), 通过努力 (through hard work).

Examples

1. 他通过了汉语考试。 He passed the Chinese exam.
2. 我们通过这条路去学校。 We go to school through this road.
3. 你可以通过手机买东西。 You can buy things through your phone.

Usage Guide

Context: exams, methods, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他通过努力学习考上了大学。(He got into university through hard study.)
• 这个方案已经通过了。(This plan has been approved.)

Don't Say

• 用通过代替经过表示路过 (Don't use 通过 when you mean simply 'passing by' a place — use 经过 instead; 通过 implies going all the way through something)

Origin & History

通 (tōng, to go through/connect) + 过 (guò, to pass/cross). Literally 'connect and pass' — to successfully get through something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal