不通

• Pinyin: bù tōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = negation; 通 = 辶(walk) + 甬, to pass through

Meaning

Blocked; illogical; doesn't make sense. Indicates obstruction or lack of coherence.

Has two main meanings: (1) physically blocked, not allowing passage (路不通 road is blocked, 电话不通 phone won't connect); (2) logically flawed, doesn't make sense (说不通 doesn't make sense, 行不通 won't work). The metaphorical meaning is very common.

Examples

1. 这条路因为施工暂时不通。 This road is temporarily closed due to construction.
2. 你这个解释根本说不通，漏洞太多了。 Your explanation doesn't make sense at all — there are too many holes in it.
3. 这种方法在实际操作中根本行不通。 This method simply won't work in actual practice.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, argumentation, problem-solving

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 前面的路不通，我们得绕道。(The road ahead is blocked — we need to take a detour.)
• 你的逻辑根本讲不通。(Your logic doesn't make any sense at all.)

Don't Say

• 注意'不通'和'不懂'的区别 (Note the difference: 不通 means blocked or illogical, while 不懂 means not understanding)

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) + 通 (to pass through, be logical). Negation of passage or logical connection.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal