A2 noun #600 most common 2 min read

~을/를 통해

This phrase means 'through' or 'by means of' something.

~eul/reul tonghae
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use this to show how you do something. For example, 'I study through books.' It is a very useful way to connect your actions to your tools.

At this level, you start using it for communication. 'I heard the news through the radio.' It helps you explain where you got information or how you traveled.

You will use this in professional settings. 'We solved the problem through teamwork.' It is great for explaining processes and collaborative efforts in a clear, logical way.

Now you can use it for abstract concepts. 'Through this policy, we aim to improve safety.' It adds a layer of sophistication to your arguments and explanations.

In advanced writing, it connects complex ideas. 'Through the lens of history, we can see current trends.' It allows for nuanced discussions about cause and effect in academic papers.

At mastery, you use it to structure complex logical arguments. It acts as a pivot point in essays, linking evidence to conclusions with precision and academic grace.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used for 'through' or 'via'.
  • Follows a noun.
  • Consonant + 을, Vowel + 를.
  • Very common in all levels.

Think of ~을/를 통해 as your bridge between an action and the tool you use to do it. It comes from the verb 통하다, which means 'to pass through' or 'to lead to'.

When you want to say you did something via a specific method or through a certain channel, this is your go-to phrase. It’s incredibly common in both daily conversation and professional writing.

The phrase is rooted in the Sino-Korean character 通 (통), meaning 'to go through' or 'to connect'. Historically, it evolved from the verb 통하다 (to pass through).

Over time, it shifted from a purely physical movement (like walking through a door) to a more abstract, functional usage (like achieving success through hard work). It reflects the Korean language's tendency to turn verbs into functional particles.

You use this after a noun. If the noun ends in a consonant, use ~을 통해. If it ends in a vowel, use ~를 통해.

It is very versatile. You can use it for physical paths (the window), communication channels (the internet), or abstract methods (data analysis). It is considered standard and slightly formal, perfect for presentations or emails.

While it is a grammatical structure, it appears in set phrases: 대화를 통해 (through conversation), 경험을 통해 (through experience), 인터넷을 통해 (via the internet), 소개를 통해 (via an introduction), and 법을 통해 (through the law).

This is a postpositional construction. It does not have plural forms or articles. The pronunciation is [을/를 통해].

The stress usually falls on the noun preceding it. It is not a rhyming word, but it functions similarly to the English preposition 'via' or 'by means of'.

Fun Fact

It comes from the same root as 'traffic' (교통).

Pronunciation Guide

UK tʰoŋ.ɦɛ

Sounds like 'tong-heh'

US tʰoŋ.ɦɛ

Sounds like 'tong-heh'

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the 'h' sound
  • Swallowing the 'ng' sound
  • Adding extra vowels

Rhymes With

이해 피해 오해 장해 방해

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read

Writing 2/5

Easy to use

Speaking 2/5

Commonly spoken

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

을/를 명사

Learn Next

통하다 때문에

Advanced

매개로 거쳐

Grammar to Know

Particle usage

을/를

Noun modification

통한

Verb conjugation

통하다

Examples by Level

1

책을 통해 배웠어요.

Book + through + learned.

Noun + particle.

2

인터넷을 통해 봤어요.

Internet + through + saw.

Noun ends in consonant.

3

친구를 통해 알았어요.

Friend + through + knew.

Intermediary.

4

뉴스를 통해 들었어요.

News + through + heard.

Source of info.

5

사진을 통해 봤어요.

Photo + through + saw.

Medium.

6

편지를 통해 전했어요.

Letter + through + sent.

Communication.

7

영화를 통해 배웠어요.

Movie + through + learned.

Educational.

8

라디오를 통해 들었어요.

Radio + through + heard.

Medium.

1

이메일을 통해 연락해요.

2

소개를 통해 만났어요.

3

경험을 통해 배웠어요.

4

대화를 통해 해결해요.

5

지도를 통해 찾았어요.

6

데이터를 통해 확인해요.

7

연락을 통해 알았어요.

8

광고를 통해 봤어요.

1

회의를 통해 결정했습니다.

2

교육을 통해 성장합니다.

3

연구를 통해 발견했어요.

4

토론을 통해 합의했어요.

5

문제를 통해 배웠습니다.

6

기술을 통해 발전해요.

7

협력을 통해 성공해요.

8

관찰을 통해 깨달았어요.

1

법률을 통해 보호받습니다.

2

분석을 통해 결론을 냈어요.

3

경로를 통해 전달됩니다.

4

과정을 통해 완성됩니다.

5

매체를 통해 홍보합니다.

6

상담을 통해 해결책을 찾아요.

7

변화를 통해 적응합니다.

8

검토를 통해 승인되었습니다.

1

역사를 통해 교훈을 얻습니다.

2

시각을 통해 세상을 봅니다.

3

철학을 통해 사고를 확장해요.

4

경험을 통해 지혜를 쌓습니다.

5

논리를 통해 설득합니다.

6

협상을 통해 타협점을 찾습니다.

7

관점을 통해 상황을 이해해요.

8

통찰을 통해 본질을 꿰뚫습니다.

1

민주적 절차를 통해 실현됩니다.

2

다양한 매개체를 통해 표출됩니다.

3

체계적인 과정을 통해 정립됩니다.

4

비판적 사고를 통해 도출됩니다.

5

사회적 합의를 통해 결정됩니다.

6

문화적 교류를 통해 발전합니다.

7

간접적 경험을 통해 체득합니다.

8

엄격한 기준을 통해 검증됩니다.

Common Collocations

대화를 통해
경험을 통해
소개를 통해
인터넷을 통해
뉴스를 통해
결과를 통해
회의를 통해
데이터를 통해
방법을 통해
관찰을 통해

Idioms & Expressions

"말을 통해"

Through speech

말을 통해 마음을 전하세요.

neutral

"글을 통해"

Through writing

글을 통해 생각을 공유해요.

neutral

"시간을 통해"

Over time

시간을 통해 치유됩니다.

literary

"눈을 통해"

Through one's eyes

그의 눈을 통해 세상을 봐요.

literary

"마음을 통해"

Through the heart

마음을 통해 연결됩니다.

emotional

"노력을 통해"

Through effort

노력을 통해 성공합니다.

neutral

Easily Confused

~을/를 통해 vs 때문에

Both connect nouns.

때문에 is cause, 통해 is medium.

비 때문에 (because of rain) vs 비를 통해 (through the rain/medium).

~을/를 통해 vs 통해서

Sounds similar.

통해서 is slightly more casual.

친구를 통해서 vs 친구를 통해.

~을/를 통해 vs 거쳐

Both imply passing.

거쳐 implies a stage.

단계를 거쳐.

~을/를 통해 vs 사용하여

Both show method.

사용하여 is literal 'using'.

도구를 사용하여.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Noun + 을/를 통해 + Verb

대화를 통해 해결해요.

B1

Noun + 을/를 통해 + Noun

인터넷을 통한 정보.

B2

Noun + 을/를 통해 + Adjective

경험을 통해 알게 된 사실.

A2

Noun + 을/를 통해 + Noun + Verb

뉴스를 통해 소식을 들었어요.

B2

Noun + 을/를 통해 + Passive Verb

법을 통해 보호받습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

통로 pathway

Verbs

통하다 to pass through

Related

통신 communication

How to Use It

frequency

9

Formality Scale

Formal Neutral Casual N/A

Common Mistakes

Using with verbs → Use with nouns
It must attach to a noun, not a verb stem.
통해를 instead of 통해 → 통해
It is already in the correct form.
Confusing with 'because' → Use '때문에' for cause
통해 is for medium, 때문에 is for cause.
Overusing in every sentence → Vary your connectors
Too repetitive in writing.
Misspelling as 통헤 → 통해
Check the vowel spelling.

Tips

💡

When to use

Use it when explaining the 'how'.

💡

Particle rule

Consonant = 을, Vowel = 를.

💡

Context learning

Learn it with '대화를 통해'.

💡

Did you know?

It's one of the most common ways to connect ideas.

💡

Don't add verbs

Noun only!

💡

Say it smooth

Flow from the noun into the phrase.

🌍

Politeness

It sounds professional.

💡

Tunnel trick

Tunnel = 통.

💡

Writing

Use it in your diary.

💡

Native tip

Use it for 'via' in business.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a tunnel (통) that you go through (해).

Visual Association

A tunnel connecting two places.

Word Web

Method Communication Connection

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about how you learn Korean.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean

Original meaning: To pass through

Cultural Context

None.

Directly corresponds to 'via' or 'through'.

Used in many K-drama dialogues about communication.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

at work

  • 회의를 통해
  • 보고서를 통해
  • 이메일을 통해

school

  • 책을 통해
  • 수업을 통해
  • 선생님을 통해

travel

  • 지도를 통해
  • 안내를 통해
  • 앱을 통해

daily life

  • 친구를 통해
  • 인터넷을 통해
  • 뉴스를 통해

Conversation Starters

"How did you learn Korean? (via...)"

"How do you solve problems?"

"What news source do you use?"

"Who introduced you to this?"

"How do you stay connected?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a friend you met through someone.

How do you learn new things?

Describe your favorite app.

Explain a problem you solved.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

It is neutral and standard.

Yes, e.g., 'through a friend'.

Yes, use '를'.

No, it's about method.

Yes, it is very common.

It is a particle construction.

통하다.

Yes, like 'through the window'.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

책___ 통해 배웠어요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 을

Book ends in a consonant.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'via the internet'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 인터넷을 통해

Correct particle usage.

true false B1

Can you use 통해 after a verb?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It only follows nouns.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Match nouns with meaning.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Data + through + results + checked.

Score: /5

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

を通して Japanese
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