透

• Pinyin: tòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 透 = 辶 (movement/walk radical) + 秀 (elegant, phonetic), to pass through with ease and thoroughness

Meaning

To penetrate; to pass through; to seep (V); thorough; complete; transparent (Adj). Describes something going through a barrier, or a state of being fully achieved or completely soaked.

As a verb, 透 means to seep or filter through (e.g., 光透进来 — light seeps in). As a complement or adjective, it means thoroughly or to the extreme (e.g., 湿透了 — soaked through; 看透 — see through clearly). Also appears in 透明 (transparent), 透露 (to disclose), 透气 (breathable/ventilated).

Examples

1. 雨太大了，我的衣服全都湿透了。 The rain was so heavy that my clothes were completely soaked through.
2. 阳光透过窗帘照进了房间，非常温暖。 Sunlight filtered through the curtains into the room, making it very warm.
3. 他做事很认真，每件事都研究得非常透。 He approaches everything seriously and has studied each matter very thoroughly.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, nature, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这块布很薄，光都能透过来。(This fabric is so thin that light can pass right through it.)
• 他已经把这个问题研究透了，随时可以解答。(He has thoroughly studied this problem and can answer questions about it at any time.)

Don't Say

• 用'透'单独表示'清楚'或'明白'的全部含义 (Don't use 透 alone to cover all senses of 'clear' — it specifically suggests penetration or thoroughness; for clarity of understanding, prefer 清楚 or 明白)

Origin & History

透 is composed of 辶 (movement radical) + 秀 (phonetic), suggesting passing through with ease. The movement radical reinforces the idea of something travelling right through a barrier.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal