~을/를 통해

§ What does ~을/를 통해 mean?

The Korean grammar pattern ~을/를 통해 (or simply ~통해) literally means "through" or "via." It's used when you want to express that something happens by means of, by way of, or because of a particular person, object, or method. Think of it as a tool or a channel that facilitates an action or a result. This pattern is really useful because it allows you to explain the process or the intermediary involved in an event.

You'll often see this pattern used in slightly more formal contexts, or when you're explaining a process or system. While it's CEFR A2, meaning you'll encounter it relatively early in your learning journey, mastering its nuances will make your Korean sound much more natural and sophisticated.

Let's break down how it works. You attach ~을/를 통해 to a noun. The choice between ~을 통해 and ~를 통해 depends on whether the noun ends in a consonant or a vowel:

• If the noun ends in a consonant, you use ~을 통해.
• If the noun ends in a vowel, you use ~를 통해.

This is the same rule you've likely learned for direct object markers (을/를), so it should be familiar!

§ When do people use ~을/를 통해?

People use ~을/를 통해 in several common situations. Here are the main ones:

Indicating a physical path or passage

This is the most literal meaning. You pass through a tunnel, a door, a forest, etc.

Indicating a method or means

This is a very common use. You do something "via" a certain tool, person, or system. This could be communicating through email, learning through books, or finding out information through a friend.

Indicating a period of time or experience

Sometimes, ~을/를 통해 can refer to going "through" a certain period or experience, implying that something was learned or achieved during that time.

As you can see, ~을/를 통해 is quite versatile. It's a fantastic pattern to add to your Korean toolbox because it helps you articulate how things happen with greater precision.

§ What ~을/를 통해 means

KOREAN WORD

~을/를 통해

PART OF SPEECH

Postposition attached to a noun.

DEFINITION

Through, via; indicating passage or means.

§ How to use it in a sentence

The Korean expression '~을/를 통해' is very useful for showing how something happened or how you got somewhere. Think of it like 'through' or 'via' in English. It's attached to a noun, and that noun is the means, method, or channel by which an action occurs. For example, if you learn something 'through' a book, the book is the means.

Here's how it breaks down:

• Use ~을 통해 when the noun ends in a consonant.
• Use ~를 통해 when the noun ends in a vowel.

Let's look at some common ways to use '~을/를 통해'.

§ Indicating a channel or medium

This is one of the most common uses. You use it to say that information, goods, or actions pass through a specific channel or medium.

I check the news through the internet.

I heard that news through a friend.

§ Indicating a method or process

You can also use '~을/를 통해' to explain the method or process by which something is achieved or done.

You can achieve your dreams through effort.

We discovered new facts through this research.

§ Indicating physical passage

While less common than '을/를 거쳐' for physical routes, '~을/를 통해' can also indicate passing through a physical space, especially when emphasizing the 'passage' aspect rather than just the route.

Please enter through this door.

We crossed the mountain through the tunnel.

§ Important things to remember

While '~을/를 통해' is quite flexible, remember that it specifically implies a 'means' or 'channel'. It's not usually used for simply stating the location where something happened. For locations, you'd use particles like ~에서.

Also, '~을/를 통해' can sometimes be replaced by '~으로/로' when indicating a means or method, but '~을/를 통해' often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone. For example, '전화로 연락했다' (contacted by phone) is common, but '전화를 통해 연락했다' (contacted through phone) is also correct and slightly more formal.

Keep practicing with different nouns, and you'll get the hang of it quickly!

§ Mistake 1: Confusing with ~으로 (by, with, to)

Many learners get ~을/를 통해 mixed up with ~으로. While both can express a means or method, there's a key difference. ~을/를 통해 emphasizes the intermediate step or the process itself, often with a sense of 'passing through' or 'using something as a conduit'. ~으로 is more general and can mean 'by means of', 'with', or even 'to a direction'.

DEFINITION

Use ~을/를 통해 when you want to highlight the 'medium' or 'channel' through which something happens.

Here, the internet is the channel for getting information. You are passing through it to get what you want.

In this case, the pen is the tool, but not necessarily a 'channel'. Using ~을/를 통해 here would sound unnatural.

§ Mistake 2: Overusing it for simple instruments

While ~을/를 통해 can indicate a means, it's not always the most natural choice for simple instruments or tools. For instance, if you cut paper with scissors, you'd typically use ~으로, not ~을/를 통해.

Using 가위를 통해 would sound odd because scissors are a direct tool, not a channel or a complex process. You're not 'passing through' the scissors to cut the paper.

DEFINITION

Reserve ~을/를 통해 for more abstract 'means' or 'channels' rather than concrete tools that perform an action directly.

Here, 'conversation' is an abstract process or channel through which understanding is achieved. This is a perfect use of ~을/를 통해.

§ Mistake 3: Incorrectly attaching it to verbs

Remember that ~을/를 통해 attaches to nouns. Sometimes learners try to attach it directly to verb stems, which is incorrect. If you want to express 'through doing something', you'll need to nominalize the verb first.

• Incorrect: 공부하를 통해 (X)
• Correct: 공부하는 것을 통해 (O) (Through studying)
• Correct: 공부를 통해 (O) (Through study)

DEFINITION

Always ensure ~을/를 통해 follows a noun. If you want to use a verb, convert it into a noun form (e.g., verb stem + ~는 것).

'경험' (experience) is a noun, so ~을/를 통해 attaches directly. If you wanted to say 'through experiencing many things', it would be '많은 것을 경험하는 것을 통해'.