通る

The Japanese verb 通る (とおる - tooru) is a versatile and essential term that primarily translates to 'to pass through,' 'to go along,' or 'to be accepted.' At its core, it describes movement through a space or the successful navigation of a process. Understanding this verb requires looking at it through three distinct lenses: physical movement, abstract progression, and social or logical validation. In a physical sense, it describes an object or person moving from one side of an opening to another, such as walking through a gate or a needle passing through fabric. It also describes the act of traveling along a specific route, like a bus going through a main street. Beyond the physical, it is frequently used in professional and academic settings to indicate that a proposal has been approved, a law has been passed, or a student has successfully cleared an entrance examination. This 'passing' implies that the subject met the necessary criteria to move from a state of 'pending' to 'accepted.'

Physical Passage

Moving through a defined space, such as a tunnel, a door, or a specific neighborhood. It emphasizes the trajectory through the space rather than the destination itself.

Abstract Approval

The successful acceptance of ideas, plans, or people. When a project 'passes,' it means it has survived scrutiny and is now authorized to proceed.

Sensory Penetration

Used to describe how well a voice or sound carries through a space or reaches the listener's ears, indicating clarity and strength.

Furthermore, tooru extends into the realm of logic and reputation. When we say 'logic passes' (筋が通る), we mean that an argument is consistent and makes sense. It implies that the reasoning can 'pass through' the filters of critical thinking without being blocked by contradictions. Similarly, if someone's 'name passes' (名が通る), it means they are well-known or have an established reputation in a particular field. The common thread in all these uses is the concept of 'unimpeded movement'—whether that movement is a physical body through a door, a sound through the air, or an idea through a committee. It is an intransitive verb, meaning the action focuses on the subject that is doing the passing, often paired with the particle 'wo' (を) to indicate the space being traversed, which can be confusing for English speakers who expect 'wo' to only mark direct objects.

In more advanced contexts, you might hear it used to describe the permeation of flavors in cooking (味が通る) or the clarity of a person's voice (声が通る). A 'passing voice' is one that is distinct and audible even in a crowded room. This variety of meanings makes tooru one of the most high-frequency verbs in the Japanese language, appearing in everything from traffic signs to high-level legal documents. Mastery of this word involves recognizing that 'passing' isn't just about movement, but about the quality of that movement—is it smooth, is it accepted, and does it reach the other side? By visualizing the 'path' the subject is taking, you can usually deduce which specific nuance is being applied in a given sentence.

Using 通る (tooru) correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as an intransitive verb and its relationship with particles. Most commonly, it is used with the particle を (wo) to indicate the space or path through which something passes. While を is usually associated with direct objects of transitive verbs, in this context, it marks the 'route' or 'medium' of movement. For example, michi wo tooru (to go along a street) or kouen wo tooru (to pass through a park). It can also be used with に (ni) when indicating a destination or a point of acceptance, such as shiken ni tooru (to pass an exam), though shiken ni goukaku suru is more formal.

Conjugation Basics

通る is a Godan (Group 1) verb. Dictionary: 通る, Polite: 通ります, Te-form: 通って, Past: 通った, Negative: 通らない.

Particle Usage

Use 'wo' for the path (street, tunnel). Use 'ga' for the subject (proposal, voice). Use 'ni' for the result (passing an exam).

When discussing the 'acceptance' nuance, tooru often appears in the potential form tooreru (can pass) or the causative-passive. However, a common mistake is confusing it with its transitive pair 通す (toosu). While tooru means 'something passes,' toosu means 'to let something pass' or 'to stick something through.' For instance, you 'pass' (tooru) an exam, but a manager 'passes' (toosu) your request. In daily conversation, tooru is frequently used in the progressive form tootte iru to describe ongoing states, such as a road being currently open for traffic or a person's logic being consistently sound.

In formal writing, tooru is often replaced by more specific kanji compounds (kango). For example, instead of saying michi wo tooru, a formal report might use tsuuka suru (to pass through/transit). However, in spoken Japanese, tooru is the go-to verb. It is also important to note the idiomatic usage me ga tooru (to scan/look over), though me wo toosu is more common for the active act of reading. When you want to say 'to go through with something' or 'to persist,' the transitive toosu is used, but if the focus is on the fact that the action was successfully completed/accepted, tooru is the correct choice.

You will encounter 通る (tooru) in almost every facet of Japanese life. One of the most common places is in transit. Whether you are on a train, a bus, or walking, announcements and signs frequently use this verb. For example, a train conductor might announce that the train will 'pass through' (tsuuka suru, a related word) or 'go along' a certain line. On the street, you'll see signs like 'tsuukoudome' (road closed), which comes from the same root. In a crowded station like Shinjuku, you'll hear people saying 'sumimasen, toorimasu' (Excuse me, I'm coming through) as they navigate the throngs of commuters.

Public Spaces

Crowded streets, train stations, and elevators. Used to ask for space or describe traffic flow.

The Office

During meetings or when discussing project statuses. 'Did the budget pass?' (Yousan wa toorimashita ka?)

Schools

Exam season is the peak time for this verb. Students hope their names will 'pass' through the selection process.

In the business world, tooru is a keyword for success. When a 'kikaku' (plan) or 'teian' (proposal) 'tooru,' it's a cause for celebration. It signifies that the internal bureaucracy has been successfully navigated. You might hear a colleague say, 'Yatto kessai ga tootta!' (Finally, the approval went through!). This usage is so common that it's almost synonymous with 'getting the green light.' Additionally, in the context of legal and political news, you will hear about bills (houan) 'passing' through the Diet (parliament). The verb carries a sense of officiality and finality in these contexts.

Another interesting place you'll hear it is in the performing arts or public speaking. A 'voice that passes' (koe ga tooru) is a high compliment for an actor or a teacher. It doesn't just mean the voice is loud; it means it has a quality that cuts through background noise and reaches the back of the room. Similarly, in literature, you might read about a character 'passing through' a difficult period of life, though this is often expressed with more poetic verbs. In daily life, even simple things like 'the thread passing through the needle' (hari ni ito ga tooru) use this verb, making it a constant companion in both mundane and significant moments.

One of the most frequent stumbling blocks for learners is the distinction between 通る (tooru) and its transitive counterpart 通す (toosu). Because English often uses the word 'pass' for both situations, it's easy to mix them up. Remember: tooru is something that happens (intransitive), while toosu is something you do to something else (transitive). For example, if you say 'ito wo tooru,' it sounds like the thread is sentient and walking through something. The correct way to say 'I pass the thread through the needle' is 'hari ni ito wo toosu.' Conversely, if you say 'kikaku wo tooru,' it's grammatically awkward; it should be 'kikaku ga tooru' (the plan passes).

Transitive vs. Intransitive

Mistake: 'I pass the plan' using 'tooru'. Correct: Use 'toosu' for the action of passing something, 'tooru' for the state of it being passed.

Particle Confusion

Mistake: Using 'ni' for a path. Correct: Use 'wo' for the space you move through (e.g., 'michi wo tooru').

Confusion with 'Goukaku'

Mistake: Using 'tooru' for passing a test in very formal documents. Correct: 'Goukaku' is the standard formal term.

Another common error involves the use of particles when describing movement. Many learners mistakenly use 'ni' or 'de' to mark the path. While 'michi de tooru' might sound okay in English ('pass on the street'), in Japanese, 'wo' is required because the street is the space being traversed. Using 'ni' would imply the street is the final destination, which contradicts the meaning of 'passing through.' Additionally, learners often over-rely on tooru for 'passing an exam.' While 'shiken ni tooru' is perfectly natural in conversation, it can sound a bit casual or vague in professional contexts where 'goukaku suru' is expected.

Finally, be careful with the potential form tooreru. It is often used to describe whether a road is 'passable' (e.g., after a landslide or heavy snow). Learners sometimes use 'tooru koto ga dekiru,' which is grammatically correct but less natural than the simple potential form 'tooreru.' Also, avoid using tooru when you mean 'to pass by' someone on the street without going through a specific space; in that case, 'surechigau' or 'toorisugiru' might be more accurate. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid the 'uncanny valley' of Japanese grammar.

Japanese has several verbs that overlap with 通る (tooru), and choosing the right one depends on the specific type of 'passing' you are describing. The most common related words are 過ぎる (sugiru), 渡る (wataru), and 合格する (goukaku suru). While they all involve some form of movement or success, their nuances are distinct. Sugiru focuses on 'passing by' or 'exceeding' a point, wataru focuses on 'crossing' from one side to another (like a bridge), and goukaku suru is the specific, formal term for passing an evaluation.

通る vs. 過ぎる (Sugiru)

'Tooru' is about going through a space. 'Sugiru' is about passing a point and leaving it behind. If you 'tooru' a station, you go through it. If you 'sugiru' a station, you've gone past it.

通る vs. 渡る (Wataru)

'Tooru' is longitudinal (along a path). 'Wataru' is transverse (crossing over a boundary, like a river or a crosswalk).

通る vs. 抜ける (Nukeru)

'Nukeru' emphasizes coming out the other side or passing through an obstacle. 'Tooru' is more neutral about the passage itself.

Another important comparison is with kayou (to commute/frequent). While tooru describes a single instance of passing through, kayou describes a repetitive action of going back and forth to a place like school or work. For example, 'Gakkou ni kayou' means you are a student there, whereas 'Gakkou no mae wo tooru' simply means you walked past the school building. In the context of approval, tooru is often contrasted with mitomeru (to recognize/approve). Tooru is the result (the plan passed), while mitomeru is the action taken by the authority figure (the boss approved the plan).

Lastly, consider tsuuka suru. This is the more formal, technical version of tooru. You will see it on digital displays at train stations indicating that an express train will 'pass through' without stopping. While tooru is warm and versatile, tsuuka is cold and precise. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the word that best fits the 'vibe' of your sentence, whether you're telling a story, writing a business email, or just asking for directions on the street.