～を通して / ～を通じて

• Reading: をとおして
• Romaji: wo tooshite
• Formation: Noun + を通して + Predicate / Noun + を通じて + Predicate
• Kanji breakdown: 通 (tsuu/too) = pass through, communicate

Meaning

Indicates a medium, channel, or means through which something is done, or a period throughout which something continues. Equivalent to 'through' or 'throughout.'

This compound particle has two primary meanings. First, it indicates the medium or intermediary through which an action is performed — such as a person, organization, or method. Second, it expresses a span of time during which something continues, meaning 'throughout.' を通して and を通じて are largely interchangeable, though を通じて is slightly more common in the medium/channel sense and を通して is often preferred for the temporal sense. Unlike で, which simply marks means, を通して emphasizes the idea of going through a channel or spanning an entire duration.

Examples

1. 友人を通して彼の連絡先を手に入れた。 I obtained his contact information through a friend.
2. インターネットを通じて世界中の情報が得られる。 You can access information from around the world through the internet.
3. 一年を通して気温が安定している地域だ。 It is a region where the temperature is stable throughout the year.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, formal speech

Tone: explanatory

Do Say

• 留学を通して異文化への理解が深まった。
• 代理店を通じて契約を結んだ。
• 四季を通して楽しめる観光地です。

Don't Say

• 友人に通して彼の連絡先を聞いた。(Using に instead of を — the medium or channel takes the particle を) → 友人を通して彼の連絡先を聞いた。
• 一年を通して気温が安定だ。(Using な-adjective form 安定だ instead of the correct verbal form 安定している) → 一年を通して気温が安定している。

Origin & History

Compound of を (object particle) and 通して (te-form of 通す, to pass through). The kanji 通 means pass or communicate, evoking the image of something traveling through a channel.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal