疏通 30秒で
- Primarily means to unblock or dredge a physical channel like a pipe or river.
- Metaphorically used to smooth over social relations or resolve misunderstandings.
- Commonly applied to traffic management (easing congestion) and logistics.
- Essential in Traditional Chinese Medicine for describing the clearing of energy meridians.
The Chinese verb 疏通 (shūtōng) is a multifaceted term that primarily describes the act of removing an obstruction to ensure a smooth flow. At its most literal level, it refers to hydraulic engineering and maintenance—specifically, dredging rivers or clearing clogged pipes. However, its usage extends far beyond the physical realm into social, psychological, and logistical contexts. Understanding '疏通' requires an appreciation for the Chinese cultural emphasis on 'flow' (通), where health, success, and harmony are often equated with the absence of blockages.
- Physical Application
- Used when cleaning out sewers, drains, or riverbeds to prevent flooding or backup. For example: 疏通河道 (dredge a river course).
- Social Mediation
- Refers to acting as a middleman to resolve misunderstandings or 'grease the wheels' of a bureaucratic process. For example: 疏通关系 (to use connections to smooth things over).
- Traffic and Logistics
- Used by traffic police or logistics managers to clear congestion. For example: 疏通交通 (to ease traffic congestion).
下水道堵了，我们需要找人来疏通一下。 (The sewer is blocked; we need to find someone to clear it.)
Historically, the concept of 疏通 is tied to the legendary figure Yu the Great (大禹), who realized that instead of simply building dams to stop water (which eventually break), one must dredge and guide the water to the sea. This philosophy of 'guidance over resistance' permeates the modern usage of the word. When you 疏通 a situation, you aren't just breaking something; you are facilitating a natural or desired movement. In a business context, if a project is stalled due to a misunderstanding between departments, a manager might step in to 疏通, acting as a facilitator to remove the 'clog' in communication.
经过调解员的疏通，双方终于达成了协议。 (Through the mediator's facilitation/clearing of obstacles, both sides finally reached an agreement.)
In modern urban life, you will most frequently see this word on the back of small trucks or stickers in hallways advertising '专业疏通' (Professional Unblocking), usually referring to toilet and drain services. However, in news reports, it is used for major engineering projects or high-level diplomatic efforts to '疏通渠道' (clear channels) of communication between nations. It is a highly versatile verb that bridges the gap between the mundane work of a plumber and the sophisticated work of a diplomat.
Using 疏通 correctly depends on identifying what exactly is 'blocked.' The word functions as a transitive verb, meaning it almost always takes a direct object. The object can be physical (pipes, rivers), abstract (relationships, channels), or logistical (traffic, supply chains).
- Pattern 1: Physical Clearing
- [Subject] + 疏通 + [Physical Obstruction].
Example: 工人正在疏通积水的街道。 (Workers are clearing the flooded streets.) - Pattern 2: Social/Relational Mediation
- [Subject] + 疏通 + [Social Entity/Relationship].
Example: 他试图疏通各方面的关系。 (He tried to smooth out relations with all parties.)
为了确保航道安全，政府每年都要疏通河床。 (To ensure the safety of the shipping lanes, the government dredges the riverbed every year.)
When using 疏通 in a social context, it often carries a nuance of 'lobbying' or 'pulling strings.' If you say someone is '疏通关系' (shūtōng guānxì), it might imply they are using their network to bypass a bureaucratic hurdle. While not always negative, it suggests a pragmatic approach to problem-solving through human connection rather than just following rigid rules. In a psychological context, you might '疏通思想' (shūtōng sīxiǎng), which means to help someone work through a mental block or a stubborn point of view.
警察在路口疏通拥挤的交通。 (The police are at the intersection easing the congested traffic.)
In formal writing, 疏通 is often paired with '渠道' (qúdào - channel). For instance, '疏通融资渠道' (dredge/clear financing channels) is a common phrase in economic news, referring to making it easier for businesses to get loans. In these cases, the word acts as a sophisticated way to say 'facilitate' or 'streamline.'
The word 疏通 appears in surprisingly diverse settings, from the gritty reality of urban maintenance to the high-stakes world of corporate negotiations. Knowing where you'll encounter it helps in choosing the right register.
- In the Neighborhood
- You will see advertisements for '专业疏通马桶' (Professional toilet unblocking) on flyers or stickers. Here, it's a very common, everyday word.
- In the News
- Journalists use it when discussing infrastructure, like '疏通大运河' (dredging the Grand Canal), or when describing government efforts to relieve economic bottlenecks.
- In the Office
- Managers use it metaphorically. '我们需要疏通一下内部流程' (We need to unblock/smooth out our internal processes) suggests that the current workflow is inefficient or stuck.
这个项目的审批卡住了，我去找熟人疏通一下。 (The approval for this project is stuck; I'll go find an acquaintance to smooth things over.)
One of the most interesting places to hear 疏通 is in the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Practitioners talk about '疏通经络' (shūtōng jīngluò), which means to clear the meridians or energy channels of the body. If your 'Qi' (energy) is blocked, you might experience pain or illness, and acupuncture or massage is used to 疏通 these blockages. This usage highlights the deep-seated cultural belief that health is a state of unobstructed flow.
医生建议通过针灸来疏通经络，改善血液循环。 (The doctor suggested using acupuncture to clear the meridians and improve blood circulation.)
While 疏通 is a powerful word, it is frequently confused with other similar-sounding or similar-meaning verbs. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound more natural and precise.
- Confusing 疏通 with 沟通 (gōutōng)
- 沟通 means 'to communicate' or 'to bridge.' You use 沟通 for a two-way exchange of ideas. You use 疏通 when there is a specific blockage or obstacle to be removed.
Correct: 我们需要沟通。 (We need to communicate.)
Correct: 我们需要疏通这种误解。 (We need to clear up this misunderstanding.) - Confusing 疏通 with 打通 (dǎtōng)
- 打通 often means to physically break through a wall or to successfully make a phone call. 疏通 implies cleaning out something that is already there but is clogged.
Correct: 电话打通了。 (The phone call went through.)
Correct: 管道疏通了。 (The pipe was cleared.)
Mistake: 我去疏通一下我的朋友。 (I will go 'unblock' my friend.)
Correction: 我去跟我的朋友沟通一下。 (I will go communicate with my friend.)
Another common mistake is overusing 疏通 in situations where '解决' (jiějué - solve) or '处理' (chǔlǐ - handle) would be more appropriate. 疏通 specifically implies a flow. If you are solving a math problem, you don't '疏通' it. If you are handling a customer complaint, you don't '疏通' it unless the complaint is part of a larger 'bottleneck' in service.
To truly master 疏通, you should understand its synonyms and how they differ in register and specific application.
- 疏导 (shūdǎo)
- Very similar to 疏通, but focuses more on 'guiding' or 'directing' the flow elsewhere. Often used for traffic (疏导交通) or psychological counseling (心理疏导).
- 开通 (kāitōng)
- Means to open up a new route or service. Use this for starting a new subway line or opening a bank account. 疏通 is for fixing an existing one that is blocked.
- 浚 (jùn)
- A formal, literary term specifically for dredging water. You will see it in the word '疏浚' (shūjùn), which is the technical term for dredging in engineering.
政府正在疏导受灾群众。 (The government is guiding/directing the disaster-affected masses.)
When comparing 疏通 to 调解 (tiáojiě - mediate), remember that 调解 is strictly for disputes and legal matters. 疏通 is broader; you can 疏通 a pipe, but you can't 调解 a pipe. Use 疏通 when you want to emphasize the removal of an obstacle that is preventing progress, whereas 调解 emphasizes finding a middle ground between two parties.
How Formal Is It?
豆知識
The philosophy of 'shūtōng' is deeply tied to the ancient Chinese view of the universe as a series of flows (water, energy, social hierarchy).
発音ガイド
- Pronouncing 'shū' as 'shǔ' (3rd tone).
- Confusing 'tōng' with 'tòng' (4th tone).
難易度
Easy to recognize in context.
Characters '疏' and '通' are moderately complex.
Pronunciation is straightforward.
Clear sound, but context matters for meaning.
次に学ぶべきこと
前提知識
次に学ぶ
上級
知っておくべき文法
Resultative Complements
疏通开了 (Successfully unblocked and opened up).
Verb Reduplication
疏通疏通 (Do a little unblocking/smoothing over).
Passive with 被
河道被疏通了 (The riverbed was dredged).
Instrumental with 用
用工具疏通 (Unblock using a tool).
Purpose with 为了
为了疏通交通，警察关闭了路口。
レベル別の例文
马桶堵了，要疏通。
The toilet is blocked; it needs unblocking.
Subject + 疏通.
他疏通了水管。
He unblocked the water pipe.
Verb + Object.
水流不通，请疏通。
The water isn't flowing; please clear it.
Request form.
工人来疏通下水道。
The worker came to clear the sewer.
Purpose clause.
我们需要疏通这里。
We need to clear this place (a blockage).
Modal verb + 疏通.
疏通以后，水流快了。
After unblocking, the water flows fast.
Temporal phrase.
这个不难疏通。
This is not hard to unblock.
Adjective + 疏通.
谁能疏通这个？
Who can unblock this?
Question form.
路边的排水沟需要疏通。
The roadside drainage ditch needs clearing.
Passive-like structure.
他们正在疏通被堵的道路。
They are clearing the blocked road.
Present continuous.
专业疏通，收费便宜。
Professional unblocking, cheap fees.
Noun phrase usage.
用这个工具可以疏通马桶。
You can use this tool to unblock the toilet.
Instrumental usage.
雨后，大家一起疏通水渠。
After the rain, everyone cleared the water channels together.
Adverbial of time.
请疏通一下门口的积水。
Please clear the standing water at the door.
Polite request.
这根管子很难疏通。
This pipe is very difficult to clear.
Degree adverb.
疏通工作已经完成了。
The unblocking work has been completed.
Noun usage.
交警正在疏通拥挤的交通。
The traffic police are easing the congested traffic.
Specific collocation (交通).
他帮朋友疏通了心理压力。
He helped his friend relieve psychological pressure.
Metaphorical usage.
政府拨款疏通了这条古老的运河。
The government allocated funds to dredge this ancient canal.
Formal context.
为了达成协议，他四处疏通。
To reach an agreement, he went around smoothing things over.
Intransitive-like usage.
这种药能疏通血管。
This medicine can clear blood vessels.
Biological context.
我们需要疏通一下彼此的误会。
We need to clear up the misunderstandings between us.
Abstract object (误会).
他在公司里负责疏通各部门的关系。
He is responsible for smoothing relations between departments in the company.
Professional role.
大雨导致交通中断，警察正在紧急疏通。
Heavy rain caused traffic interruption; police are urgently clearing it.
Resultative context.
疏通融资渠道对小企业至关重要。
Clearing financing channels is vital for small businesses.
Economic terminology.
专家建议疏通经络以增强体质。
Experts suggest clearing the meridians to strengthen the body.
TCM context.
我们要疏通思想，接受新的观念。
We need to clear our minds and accept new ideas.
Ideological usage.
该地区正在疏通河道，准备迎接汛期。
The region is dredging river channels in preparation for the flood season.
Logistical preparation.
他利用私人关系为公司疏通了审批流程。
He used personal connections to smooth out the approval process for the company.
Social capital context.
通过沟通，我们疏通了合作中的障碍。
Through communication, we cleared the obstacles in our cooperation.
Abstract 'obstacles'.
心理咨询师帮助他疏通了积压已久的情绪。
The counselor helped him release long-suppressed emotions.
Emotional context.
疏通信息反馈机制是管理者的首要任务。
Clearing information feedback mechanisms is a manager's primary task.
Management terminology.
疏通河道不仅是为了防洪，更是为了生态平衡。
Dredging river channels is not just for flood control, but for ecological balance.
Complex logical structure.
由于体制僵化，必须进行深层次的改革来疏通体制障碍。
Due to institutional rigidity, deep-seated reforms are necessary to clear institutional obstacles.
Political/Systemic usage.
中医认为，痛则不通，通则不痛，重在疏通。
TCM believes pain comes from blockage; the focus is on clearing it.
Philosophical/Traditional quote.
他巧妙地疏通了双方剑拔弩张的关系。
He skillfully smoothed over the tense, confrontational relationship between the two sides.
Literary idiom (剑拔弩张).
疏通全球供应链是当前经济恢复的关键。
Clearing global supply chains is key to current economic recovery.
Macroeconomic context.
作家通过写作来疏通内心的郁结。
The writer uses writing to clear the knots in their heart.
Psychological/Literary.
这种政策旨在疏通城乡之间的要素流动。
This policy aims to facilitate the flow of factors between urban and rural areas.
Academic/Policy language.
为了确保工程进度，他不得不亲自去疏通各个环节。
To ensure project progress, he had to personally go and smooth out every link.
Complex coordination.
疏通历史的脉络，我们才能看清未来的方向。
Only by clearing the threads of history can we see the direction of the future.
Highly abstract/Philosophical.
这种艺术形式疏通了传统与现代之间的隔阂。
This art form bridges/clears the gap between tradition and modernity.
Cultural criticism.
他以一种近乎艺术的手法疏通了那场复杂的家族纷争。
He smoothed over that complex family feud with an almost artistic touch.
Sophisticated narrative.
疏通言路是实现社会公正的重要前提。
Clearing the channels for public opinion is an important prerequisite for social justice.
Political philosophy.
在宏观经济调控中，疏通货币政策传导机制至关重要。
In macroeconomic regulation, clearing the transmission mechanism of monetary policy is vital.
Technical economic theory.
他试图疏通由于长期隔绝而导致的文化断层。
He tried to bridge the cultural fault lines caused by long-term isolation.
Sociological context.
禅修的目的之一便是疏通自我的执念。
One of the purposes of meditation is to clear the obsessions of the self.
Spiritual context.
通过法律手段疏通产权纠纷，有利于市场良性运行。
Clearing property rights disputes through legal means favors the healthy operation of the market.
Legal/Economic.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— To smooth things over or give a little 'push'.
这事儿得找人疏通一下。
— Professional unblocking services (often seen on ads).
电线杆上贴着专业疏通的广告。
— Clearing of channels (usually metaphorical).
渠道疏通后，销量大增。
— Psychological counseling or 'unblocking'.
他需要一些心理疏通。
— Using connections to solve a problem.
关系疏通后，手续办得很顺。
— Clearing the body's energy meridians.
经络疏通有助于睡眠。
— Relieving traffic congestion.
交通疏通花了两个小时。
— Dredging a river.
河道疏通是一项大工程。
— Helping someone change their stubborn mind.
领导找他做思想疏通。
— Clearing the threads/logic of something.
疏通脉络后，文章更清晰了。
慣用句と表現
— Not an idiom containing the word, but the historical origin of the 'shūtōng' philosophy.
大禹治水的核心是疏通。
Historical— If the flow is clear, there is no pain (TCM concept).
中医常说通则不痛。
Medical— Sparse but nothing leaks (Justice has a long arm). Note: 'shū' here means sparse.
法网恢恢，疏而不漏。
Literary— Clear trade to benefit industry.
疏通贸易，通商惠工。
Economic— Suddenly seeing the light (after a mental 'shūtōng').
听了他的解释，我豁然开朗。
General— Guide something according to its natural trend (related to 'shūdǎo').
我们要因势利导，疏通矛盾。
Strategic— Remove all obstacles.
排除万难，疏通道路。
Literary— Push the boat with the current (easy flow).
他顺水推舟，疏通了关系。
General— Clear the clouds to see the sun (clearing a major mental block).
真相大白，拨云见日。
Literary— When the water comes, the channel is formed (natural success).
只要努力，自然水到渠成。
Proverb文型パターン
请帮我疏通[Object]。
请帮我疏通洗手池。
[Subject]正在疏通[Object]。
工人正在疏通下水道。
通过[Method]来疏通[Object]。
通过谈判来疏通双方的关系。
疏通[Object]是[Noun]的关键。
疏通言路是社会进步的关键。
[Subject]致力于疏通[Complex Object]。
政府致力于疏通货币政策传导机制。
[Object]很难疏通。
这段路很难疏通。
不得不找人疏通一下。
为了办成这件事，他不得不找人疏通一下。
疏通[Object]。
疏通水管。
語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
関連
使い方
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of 'shū' as 'shoes' and 'tōng' as 'tunnel'. You need to walk through the tunnel in your shoes, but if it's blocked, you must 'shūtōng' it first!
視覚的連想
Imagine a giant comb (疏) clearing seaweed out of a pipe (通) so water can rush through.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to use '疏通' in three different contexts today: physical, social, and logistical.
語源
The character '疏' (shū) originally meant to comb hair or to thin out seedlings, implying the creation of space. '通' (tōng) means to pass through or connect. Together, they imply the active creation of space to allow passage.
元の意味： To dredge a waterway or clear a path.
Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)文化的な背景
Be careful when using '疏通关系' as it can sometimes imply bribery, though the word itself is neutral.
Similar to 'greasing the wheels' or 'clearing the way,' but with a stronger emphasis on the 'flow' of the whole system.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
Plumbing
- 疏通马桶
- 疏通下水道
- 疏通管道
- 疏通费
Traffic
- 疏通交通
- 疏通拥堵
- 交警疏通
- 紧急疏通
Business
- 疏通渠道
- 疏通关系
- 疏通流程
- 疏通环节
Health (TCM)
- 疏通经络
- 疏通血管
- 疏通气血
- 穴位疏通
Environment
- 疏通河道
- 疏通航道
- 疏通水利
- 疏浚工程
会話のきっかけ
"你家里的下水道堵过吗？你是怎么疏通的？"
"在你的国家，人们通常如何疏通交通拥堵？"
"你觉得在职场中，疏通人际关系重要吗？"
"如果一个项目的审批慢，你会找人疏通吗？"
"你尝试过通过按摩来疏通经络吗？感觉如何？"
日記のテーマ
描写一次你成功疏通某种障碍（物理或心理）的经历。
讨论‘疏通关系’在现代社会中的利与弊。
如果你是交通部长，你会采取什么措施来疏通城市交通？
写一段关于大禹治水的故事，强调‘疏通’的重要性。
反思一下，你最近是否有任何需要‘疏通’的心理疙瘩？
Summary
The core of '疏通' is restoring flow. Whether you are a plumber clearing a toilet (疏通马桶) or a diplomat clearing a communication channel (疏通渠道), you are removing an obstacle to allow movement.
- Primarily means to unblock or dredge a physical channel like a pipe or river.
- Metaphorically used to smooth over social relations or resolve misunderstandings.
- Commonly applied to traffic management (easing congestion) and logistics.
- Essential in Traditional Chinese Medicine for describing the clearing of energy meridians.
関連コンテンツ
daily_lifeの関連語
朝九晚五
B2朝九時五時（あさくじごじ）。規則的な勤務時間のこと。
未免
B2いささか…すぎる；いかにも（行き過ぎを暗示）。「この値段はいささか高すぎます。」
废弃
B2建物や計画、法律などを、古くなったり不要になったりして使わなくなること。廃棄すること。
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
反常
B2今年の天気は非常に反常（異常）だ。(通常のパターンからの逸脱。)
充裕
B2豊かである；たっぷりある。時間や資金についてよく使われます。
充沛
B2（精力的・水などが）旺盛な、みなぎっている。例：「彼は精力充沛だ」。
门禁卡
B2建物の電子ドアを開けるために使用されるアクセスカード。
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
