通通

• Pinyin: tōng tōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 通通 = reduplication of 通 (to pass through) for emphatic completeness

Meaning

All; entirely; completely; the whole lot.

An emphatic adverb meaning 'all without exception.' Informal and expressive, often used for emphasis or in slightly exasperated contexts. Synonymous with 全部 or 统统.

Examples

1. 这些旧衣服我通通不要了，你看着处理吧。 I don't want any of these old clothes anymore — do whatever you want with them.
2. 不管他说什么，我通通不信。 No matter what he says, I don't believe any of it.
3. 冰箱里的剩菜通通倒掉，咱们出去吃新鲜的。 Throw out all the leftovers in the fridge — let's go out and eat something fresh.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, colloquial

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 通通不要。(Don't want any of it.)
• 通通拿走。(Take all of it.)

Don't Say

• 在正式公文中用'通通' (通通 is informal — for formal contexts, use 全部 or 一律)

Origin & History

Reduplication of 通, emphasizing completeness — all the way through, entirely.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal