通顺

• Pinyin: tōng shùn
• Hanzi breakdown: 通 = 辶 + 甬 — to flow; 顺 = 川 + 页 — smooth, along

Meaning

Smooth; fluent; coherent (of writing or speech).

Describes writing or speech that flows naturally without awkward phrasing or grammatical issues. A common criterion in evaluating essays and translations. The opposite is 不通顺 (choppy, awkward).

Examples

1. 这篇作文内容不错，但语句不太通顺，需要再润色一下。 This essay has good content, but the sentences aren't quite smooth — it needs some polishing.
2. 翻译最重要的是信达雅，首先得保证意思通顺。 The most important thing in translation is faithfulness, expressiveness, and elegance — first you need to ensure the meaning flows smoothly.
3. 他的中文说得越来越通顺了，进步很明显。 His Chinese has become increasingly fluent — his progress is very obvious.

Usage Guide

Context: education, writing, language learning

Tone: evaluative

Do Say

• 语句通顺。(The sentences flow smoothly.)
• 写得很通顺。(Written very fluently.)

Don't Say

• 用'通顺'形容道路畅通 (通顺 is for language fluency — for traffic, use 畅通 or 通畅)

Origin & History

通 means to flow through, 顺 means smooth — flowing through smoothly.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal