貫く

• Reading: つらぬく
• Romaji: tsuranuku
• Kanji breakdown: 貫 (kan/tsuranu) — pierce, go through, penetrate
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ɾa.nɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To pierce; to penetrate; to go through. Also: to stick to one's beliefs; to carry through to the end.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb with both physical and figurative meanings. Physically, it means to pierce or penetrate through something. Figuratively, it means to maintain one's principles or convictions without wavering. The figurative use is especially common, appearing in expressions like 信念を貫く (stick to one's beliefs) and 初志を貫く (carry through one's original resolve).

Examples

1. 彼は最後まで自分の信念を貫いた。 He stuck to his convictions right to the end.
2. 矢が的を貫く音が響いた。 The sound of an arrow piercing the target rang out.
3. どんな困難があっても初志を貫くつもりだ。 I intend to carry through my original resolve no matter what difficulties arise.

Usage Guide

Context: determination, martial arts, personal philosophy

Tone: resolute

Origin & History

From the kanji 貫 meaning to pierce or string together. Originally referred to stringing coins on a cord (a unit of currency), giving the sense of something running through continuously from end to end.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal