Explanation at your level:
You use this to say 'by' or 'through'. If you use a phone, you say 'phone-eul tong-hae-seo'. It is very helpful for beginners!
At this level, you start using it for methods. 'I learned Korean through books.' You attach it to the noun, then add the action. It makes your sentences sound much more natural.
This is where you use it for abstract concepts. 'Through hard work, I succeeded.' It connects your effort to your result. It is a great way to link two ideas in a sentence.
In professional settings, this is your best friend. Use it to explain your source of information. 'The news was reported through official channels.' It adds a formal, objective tone to your speech.
Advanced speakers use it to nuance their logic. It allows for complex structures like 'Through the lens of history, we can see...' It is essential for academic writing and high-level debate.
At mastery level, you understand the subtle difference between this and ~(으)로. You use it when you want to emphasize the 'process' or 'channel' specifically, rather than just the tool itself. It is a stylistic choice for clarity and precision.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means 'through' or 'via'.
- Used for abstract methods and channels.
- Attaches to nouns with '을/를'.
- Essential for professional and daily communication.
Hey there! ~을 통해서 is a super useful phrase in Korean. Think of it as your go-to way to say 'through' or 'via' in English. It acts as a bridge between your action and the tool or path you used to get there.
Whether you are talking about sending a message via email or walking through a park, this phrase helps you explain the 'how' or the 'where' of your sentence. It is very versatile and used by native speakers every single day.
The phrase comes from the noun 통(通), which is a Sino-Korean character meaning 'to go through' or 'to connect.' You see this character in many words like 통신 (communication) or 교통 (traffic).
By adding ~하다 (to do) and the connective form ~해서, it evolved into a standard way to express mediation. It is a classic example of how Korean combines logical Sino-Korean roots with functional grammar particles to create complex meanings.
You use ~을 통해서 when you want to highlight the means of an action. For example, 'I learned it through the internet.' It sounds slightly more formal than just using the particle ~(으)로, making it perfect for presentations or professional emails.
It is commonly paired with nouns like 인터넷 (internet), 경험 (experience), or 대화 (conversation). It adds a layer of clarity that shows you have thought about the specific channel used for your result.
While not an idiom itself, it appears in many set phrases. 대화를 통해서 (through conversation) is a very common way to suggest conflict resolution. 경험을 통해서 (through experience) is often used when someone explains how they gained wisdom.
You will also hear 매체를 통해서 (through media) when discussing news or advertisements. These expressions are standard in both business and casual storytelling.
Grammatically, this phrase attaches to the object marker ~을. If the preceding noun ends in a consonant, use ~을 통해서; if it ends in a vowel, you can sometimes see ~를 통해서.
The pronunciation is smooth: eul-tong-hae-seo. Keep the 'tong' sound crisp. It rhymes loosely with other 'seo' ending phrases, but focus on the 'tong' stress to ensure you are understood clearly by native speakers.
Fun Fact
The character 通 is used in many languages across Asia.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'ool tong-heh-suh'
Sounds like 'ool tong-heh-suh'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'tong' as 'ton'
- Dropping the 'seo' ending
- Incorrect rhythm
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in context
Easy to incorporate
Natural flow
Commonly heard
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Object Marker
책을 읽어요
Verb Connective
가서 먹어요
Instrumental Particle
버스로 가요
Examples by Level
인터넷을 통해서 공부해요.
internet-through study
object marker + through
친구를 통해서 알았어요.
friend-through knew
used for people
책을 통해서 배웠어요.
book-through learned
learning source
뉴스를 통해서 들었어요.
news-through heard
information source
메일을 통해서 보냈어요.
email-through sent
method of sending
라디오를 통해서 들어요.
radio-through listen
listening source
영화를 통해서 봐요.
movie-through watch
visual medium
사진을 통해서 봤어요.
photo-through saw
visual evidence
편지를 통해서 소식을 들었습니다.
경험을 통해서 배웠습니다.
대화를 통해서 해결해요.
지도를 통해서 길을 찾아요.
광고를 통해서 알게 되었어요.
연락을 통해서 약속을 잡아요.
교육을 통해서 성장합니다.
회의를 통해서 결정합니다.
다양한 경험을 통해서 더 성숙해졌습니다.
많은 대화를 통해서 오해를 풀었습니다.
전문적인 교육을 통해서 기술을 익혔습니다.
인터넷을 통해서 정보를 검색합니다.
친구의 소개를 통해서 그를 만났습니다.
책을 통해서 새로운 세상을 봅니다.
회의를 통해서 의견을 조율합니다.
뉴스를 통해서 사회 문제를 접합니다.
그는 오랜 경험을 통해서 지혜를 얻었다.
정부의 발표를 통해서 사실을 확인했습니다.
다양한 매체를 통해서 정보를 습득합니다.
협상을 통해서 갈등을 마무리 지었습니다.
지속적인 노력을 통해서 목표를 달성했습니다.
데이터 분석을 통해서 결과를 도출합니다.
주변의 도움을 통해서 위기를 극복했습니다.
예술을 통해서 감정을 표현합니다.
역사적 관점을 통해서 현재를 분석할 수 있습니다.
심층적인 연구를 통해서 결론에 도달했습니다.
예술적 교감을 통해서 서로를 이해하게 되었습니다.
철학적 사유를 통해서 삶의 의미를 찾습니다.
다각적인 접근을 통해서 문제를 해결합시다.
사회적 합의를 통해서 정책을 수립합니다.
간접적인 경험을 통해서 시야를 넓힙니다.
기술적 혁신을 통해서 생산성을 높입니다.
시대적 흐름을 통해서 문화의 변천을 고찰합니다.
내면의 성찰을 통해서 진정한 자아를 발견합니다.
복잡한 인과관계를 통해서 사건의 본질을 파악합니다.
문학적 은유를 통해서 작가의 의도를 전달합니다.
비판적 사고를 통해서 논리적 오류를 검증합니다.
전통의 계승을 통해서 정체성을 유지합니다.
글로벌 네트워크를 통해서 협력을 강화합니다.
지적 탐구를 통해서 학문의 지평을 넓힙니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"경험을 통해서 배우다"
To learn by doing/experience
실패는 경험을 통해서 배우는 과정입니다.
neutral"대화를 통해서 해결하다"
To resolve through talk
우리 대화를 통해서 해결합시다.
neutral"소개를 통해서 만나다"
To meet via an introduction
친구 소개를 통해서 만났어요.
casual"정보를 통해서 알다"
To know via information
뉴스를 통해서 알게 되었습니다.
formal"노력을 통해서 얻다"
To gain through effort
성공은 노력을 통해서 얻는 것입니다.
formal"매체를 통해서 전달하다"
To convey via media
이 내용은 매체를 통해서 전달될 것입니다.
formalEasily Confused
Both indicate means
로 is for tools/direction; 통해서 is for channels/processes
버스로 (by bus) vs. 대화를 통해서 (via talk)
Both have '통'
통과해서 is for physical passing through
문을 통과해서 (through the door)
Both mean 'via'
거쳐서 is for stopping points in a journey
부산을 거쳐서 서울로
Same meaning
통하여 is more formal/written
대화를 통하여 (formal) vs. 대화를 통해서 (neutral)
Sentence Patterns
Noun + 을/를 통해서 + Verb
인터넷을 통해서 배웠어요.
Noun + 을/를 통해서 + Noun + 이/가 + Verb
대화를 통해서 문제가 해결되었어요.
Noun + 을/를 통해서 + Subject + Verb
경험을 통해서 나는 성장했다.
Noun + 을/를 통해서 + Clause
뉴스를 통해서 그 소식을 들었습니다.
Noun + 을/를 통해서 + Verb + (으)면
대화를 통해서 풀면 쉬워요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It sounds like you are using the person as an object.
They are similar but nuance differs.
It is a grammatical requirement.
It can sound repetitive.
통해서 is for abstract or mediated paths.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a tube (통) that you push information through.
When Native Speakers Use It
Whenever explaining how they got a result.
Cultural Insight
Used heavily in formal apologies or business reports.
Grammar Shortcut
Noun + 을 + 통해서.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'tong' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for physical location movement.
Did You Know?
The root '통' is in 'traffic' (교통).
Study Smart
Make sentences using your hobbies.
Professional Tip
Use '통하여' in formal emails.
Quick Check
Ensure the noun ends in a consonant for '을'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Tong' (tube) that you pass things through.
Visual Association
A tunnel connecting two points.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 things you learned through the internet today.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To connect or pass through
Cultural Context
None, very neutral.
Directly maps to 'through' or 'via'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 회의를 통해서
- 보고서를 통해서
- 협력을 통해서
At school
- 책을 통해서
- 수업을 통해서
- 연구를 통해서
Travel
- 지도를 통해서
- 가이드를 통해서
- 앱을 통해서
Daily life
- 인터넷을 통해서
- 대화를 통해서
- 친구를 통해서
Conversation Starters
"인터넷을 통해서 무엇을 가장 자주 하시나요?"
"경험을 통해서 배운 가장 중요한 것은 무엇인가요?"
"친구를 통해서 새로운 사람을 만나는 것을 좋아하시나요?"
"어떤 매체를 통해서 뉴스를 보시나요?"
"대화를 통해서 갈등을 해결하는 편인가요?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a skill you learned through the internet.
Describe a time you solved a problem through conversation.
How have you changed through your life experiences?
What is something you discovered through a book?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it follows a noun + object marker.
Only if they are a medium, e.g., 'friend's introduction'.
It is neutral and acceptable in all settings.
통해서 emphasizes the channel/process.
Rarely; usually for methods.
The phrase itself doesn't change, the verb does.
Yes, it is the shortened version.
Yes, it is very common in essays.
Test Yourself
인터넷 ___ 공부해요.
It indicates the medium.
Which means 'through experience'?
Correct collocation.
Can you use 통해서 for physical movement like a door?
Usually used for abstract or mediated paths.
Word
Meaning
Both are common collocations.
Correct subject-object-verb structure.
그는 ___을 통해서 진실을 알았다.
News is a common medium.
Which is the most formal?
통하여 is slightly more formal.
Is '통해서' always interchangeable with '로'?
Not always; 통해서 emphasizes the process.
Correct flow.
___을 통해서 사회적 합의를 도출했다.
Dialogue leads to consensus.
Score: /10
Summary
Use ~을 통해서 to explain the 'how' or 'via' of your actions.
- Means 'through' or 'via'.
- Used for abstract methods and channels.
- Attaches to nouns with '을/를'.
- Essential for professional and daily communication.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a tube (통) that you push information through.
When Native Speakers Use It
Whenever explaining how they got a result.
Cultural Insight
Used heavily in formal apologies or business reports.
Grammar Shortcut
Noun + 을 + 통해서.
Example
인터넷을 통해서 정보를 얻었어요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
