通过

The Chinese word 通过 (tōngguò) is a versatile and essential term that every intermediate learner must master. At its core, it functions as both a verb and a preposition, representing the concept of 'passing through' or 'by means of.' Its usage spans from the literal physical world to the abstract realms of logic, law, and achievement. In a physical context, it describes movement from one side of an opening to another. For example, a car passing through a tunnel or a person walking through a gate. This spatial meaning is the foundation upon which its more complex uses are built. As you move into more advanced Chinese, you will encounter 通过 as a primary way to express the method or medium used to achieve a goal. This is where it translates to 'through,' 'via,' or 'by means of.' If you learned a new skill by watching videos, or if a company increased its sales through a new marketing strategy, 通过 is the bridge that connects the action to the result. Furthermore, it is the standard term for 'passing' in an evaluative sense. Whether it is a student passing a difficult HSK exam, a job seeker passing an interview, or a legislative body passing a new law, 通过 signifies the successful navigation of a requirement or barrier. It implies that a certain standard has been met and the subject is now allowed to proceed to the next stage. This word is ubiquitous in news reports, academic writing, and daily conversation, making it a cornerstone of functional Chinese fluency.

Physical Passage

Moving through a physical space like a tunnel, bridge, or door. Example: 汽车通过了隧道 (The car passed through the tunnel).

Method or Means

Using a specific medium or method to reach an objective. Example: 通过努力，他成功了 (Through hard work, he succeeded).

Approval and Success

Passing an exam, an interview, or a law being officially approved. Example: 议案通过了 (The proposal was passed).

In summary, 通过 is a high-frequency word that transitions from literal movement to abstract methodology and official validation. Its mastery allows you to describe how you do things, where you are going, and your successes in life and career. Whether you are navigating a physical path or a professional one, 通过 is the verb that describes the journey and the triumph.

Using 通过 (tōngguò) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It can function as a verb, a preposition, or even part of a resultative complement. When used as a preposition to indicate a method, it typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or before the main verb. This 'Method-Result' structure is incredibly common in both spoken and written Chinese. For example, '通过学习 (through studying), 我进步了 (I improved).' Here, the studying is the medium for the improvement. It is important to note that the 'method' can be a person, an object, or an action. You can say '通过他 (through him), 我认识了经理 (I met the manager).' In this case, 'he' is the intermediary. When 通过 acts as a verb meaning 'to pass,' it takes a direct object, such as an exam, a test, or a physical location. '他通过了考试' (He passed the exam). In formal contexts, such as government or corporate settings, it is used to indicate that a proposal or law has been ratified. '法律通过了' (The law passed). This versatility makes it a powerful tool for constructing complex thoughts. You can also use it to describe physical passage: '船通过了运河' (The ship passed through the canal). Notice that in all these cases, there is a sense of 'going from one side to the other,' whether that 'side' is a physical boundary or a set of requirements. To sound more natural, pay attention to the collocation of 通过 with other words. It often pairs with verbs like '了解' (understand), '发现' (discover), and '获得' (obtain). For instance, '通过实验获得数据' (obtain data through experiments). This pattern is essential for academic and professional Chinese. Additionally, in negative sentences, '没有' or '不' usually precedes '通过' when it's a verb: '他没有通过面试' (He didn't pass the interview). However, when used as a preposition, the negation usually falls on the main action: '通过这种方法不能解决问题' (The problem cannot be solved through this method). Mastering these nuances will significantly elevate your Chinese sentence construction.

Prepositional Use

Structure: 通过 + [Noun/Verb Phrase] + [Main Clause]. Focuses on the means. Example: 通过这次机会，我学到了很多。

Verbal Use (Achievement)

Structure: [Subject] + 通过 + [Exam/Test/Law]. Focuses on the result. Example: 我们的方案通过了。

Verbal Use (Physical)

Structure: [Subject] + 通过 + [Place]. Focuses on movement. Example: 行人正在通过马路。

You will encounter 通过 (tōngguò) in a wide variety of real-world scenarios in China, ranging from the mundane to the highly official. In daily life, you'll hear it when people discuss how they accomplished tasks. For instance, in a casual conversation about finding an apartment, someone might say, '我是通过中介找到房子的' (I found the house through an agency). In the workplace, it's a staple word during project updates or performance reviews. Managers might say, '我们通过大家的共同努力完成了目标' (We achieved our goal through everyone's joint efforts). If you are a student in China, '通过' is a word you will listen for with bated breath after every exam or HSK test. Hearing '你通过了' is the ultimate relief. In the news and media, 通过 is used constantly to report on government actions. Headlines like '新法律已获得通过' (The new law has been passed) or '两国通过谈判达成协议' (The two countries reached an agreement through negotiations) are standard. It is also very common in technical and scientific contexts. A documentary might explain how '植物通过光合作用制造食物' (Plants make food through photosynthesis). Even in transportation, GPS systems or subway announcements might use it to describe routes: '列车将通过下一站' (The train will pass through the next station). Because it bridges the gap between 'how' and 'what,' it is one of the most functional words for describing processes. In social media and digital marketing, you'll see it in phrases like '通过点击下方链接' (by clicking the link below). Its presence in such diverse domains—from legal halls to digital screens—highlights its importance. Whether you are listening to a formal speech, reading a textbook, or just chatting with friends at a cafe, 通过 will be a frequent guest in your auditory landscape. It is a word that signifies movement, progress, and achievement, making it central to the narrative of daily life and societal advancement in the Chinese-speaking world.

News & Politics

Reporting on laws, treaties, and official decisions. '通过决议' (pass a resolution) is a common collocation.

Education & Career

Discussing exam results, interview outcomes, and certification processes. '通过考试' (pass an exam).

Technology & Science

Explaining mechanisms, biological processes, or digital interactions. '通过网络' (via the network).

One of the most frequent hurdles for learners is distinguishing 通过 (tōngguò) from 经过 (jīngguò). While both can be translated as 'pass' or 'through' in English, their usage in Chinese is distinct. 经过 emphasizes the process, the time spent, or the path taken. It is often used to describe a sequence of events or a journey. For example, '经过三年的努力' (After three years of effort). Here, the focus is on the duration and the experience of the effort. In contrast, 通过 emphasizes the means, the method, or the successful result. If you say '通过三年的努力，他成功了,' you are highlighting that the effort was the *instrument* that led to success. Another common mistake is using 通过 when you simply mean 'to go past' something without entering or crossing it. If you walk past a shop on the street, you should use '路过' or '经过,' not '通过.' 通过 implies going *through* the middle of something or crossing a specific boundary. For instance, you '通过' a tunnel, but you '经过' a park on your way to work. Furthermore, learners sometimes misuse 通过 in the context of 'passing' an object to someone. In English, you 'pass the salt,' but in Chinese, you would use '递' (dì) or '给' (gěi). 通过 is never used for physical handing over of items. Another subtle error occurs in formal writing where students might forget that 通过 as a preposition does not take '了'. You cannot say '通过了努力，我学会了.' It must be '通过努力，我学会了.' The '了' is only appropriate when 通过 is the main verb of the sentence, such as '我通过了考试.' Lastly, avoid using 通过 to mean 'past' in a temporal sense (e.g., 'past 5 o'clock'). For time, use '过了' or '超过.' Being mindful of these distinctions—process vs. means, passing through vs. passing by, and verbal vs. prepositional grammar—will help you avoid the most common pitfalls and speak more like a native.

Mistake: 通过 vs. 经过

Wrong: 经过努力，他通过了面试。(This is actually correct, but using '通过' for the effort part emphasizes the 'how'). Better: 通过努力，他通过了面试。

Mistake: Physical Handing

Wrong: 请通过给我那本书。 Right: 请递给我那本书。(Please pass me that book).

Mistake: Aspect Markers

Wrong: 通过了学习，我进步了。 Right: 通过学习，我进步了。(Prepositional use doesn't take '了').

To truly master 通过 (tōngguò), you must understand its place within a family of similar words. The most significant comparison is with 经过 (jīngguò). As mentioned, 经过 focuses on the process or the path. Think of 经过 as 'after having gone through' and 通过 as 'by means of.' Another related word is 凭借 (píngjiè), which means 'to rely on' or 'by virtue of.' While 通过 is more neutral and describes the channel or method, 凭借 emphasizes the strength or resource being used, such as '凭借顽强的意志' (relying on stubborn willpower). For formal or technical contexts, you might see 采用 (cǎiyòng), which means 'to adopt' or 'to employ' a method. While you '通过' a method to get a result, you '采用' a method as a choice of action. In the context of passing an exam, 及格 (jígé) is a specific alternative. 及格 simply means to reach the minimum passing grade (usually 60%), whereas 通过 is more general and can apply to any level of success in a test or interview. For physical passage, 穿过 (chuānguò) is a strong synonym. 穿过 specifically implies 'to go through' something that has a clear entrance and exit, like a forest, a street, or a crowd. It is more descriptive and visual than the relatively neutral 通过. Lastly, 利用 (lìyòng) means 'to make use of.' While 通过 describes the medium, 利用 often implies using something to one's advantage, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation of exploitation, though not always. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the word that perfectly fits your intended meaning, whether you want to emphasize the process, the resource, the visual action, or the simple fact of passing.

通过 vs. 经过

通过: Means/Method (How). 经过: Process/Path (Sequence). Example: 通过他的帮助 (By means of his help) vs. 经过他的家 (Passing by his house).

通过 vs. 穿过

通过: General passage or approval. 穿过: Physical 'piercing' through (e.g., through a crowd or forest). Example: 穿过森林 (Walk through the forest).

通过 vs. 及格

通过: To pass (general success). 及格: To reach the minimum passing mark. Example: 他考试及格了 (He got a passing grade).