Explanation at your level:
Think of this as a 'connector.' When you use a tool, like a phone, you can say you did something through the phone. It helps you explain 'how' you did something. Keep it simple: Object + through + action.
You use this to explain your methods. If you learned Korean through a book, you use this phrase. It connects the 'thing' you used to the 'action' you performed. It is very useful for telling stories about how you learned things.
At this level, you start using it for abstract concepts. Instead of just physical tools, you use it for things like 'dialogue,' 'cooperation,' or 'research.' It makes your sentences sound much more organized and professional in a classroom setting.
This is where you master the nuance. You will use it in business contexts, like 'We reached an agreement through negotiations.' It shows you can handle complex sentence structures where the method is just as important as the result.
In advanced writing, this phrase helps you maintain a formal register. It is often used in academic papers to cite sources or describe methodologies. It signals to the reader that you are presenting a logical, well-thought-out argument.
At the mastery level, you recognize that this phrase is a staple of formal Korean discourse. It is used to bridge the gap between cause and effect in sophisticated prose. You will find it in literature, legal documents, and high-level political speeches.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Formal way to say 'through' or 'by means of'.
- Used to describe methods or mediums.
- Common in business, academic, and news contexts.
- Shortened to '통해' in less formal settings.
When you want to sound a bit more professional or formal in Korean, ~을/를 통하여 is your go-to phrase! It translates directly to 'through' or 'by means of.' Think of it as a bridge that connects your action to the tool or person that helped you achieve your goal.
For example, instead of just saying 'I heard it on the news,' you might say 'I heard it through the news' to sound more precise. It is perfect for essays, presentations, or business emails where you want to show exactly how something came to be.
The phrase is rooted in the Sino-Korean character 通, which means 'to pass through' or 'to connect.' Historically, this character has been used to describe the flow of information, goods, or people across borders or systems.
By adding ~하여 (the connective form of the verb 'to do'), the language created a functional tool to describe mediation. It evolved from a literal sense of 'passing through a gate' to a metaphorical sense of 'using a method' to reach a result. It reflects the logical, structured nature of formal Korean communication.
You will mostly see this in formal writing or professional speech. It pairs well with nouns related to media, communication, or processes. Common collocations include 대화를 통하여 (through conversation) or 인터넷을 통하여 (via the internet).
While it is very common in reports, you wouldn't typically use it when chatting with your best friend about what you ate for lunch. In casual settings, Koreans often shorten it to ~을/를 통해, which is slightly less stiff but still maintains that professional edge.
While not an idiom itself, it appears in many set phrases. 1. 경험을 통하여 배우다 (To learn through experience). 2. 대화를 통하여 풀다 (To resolve through dialogue). 3. 매체를 통하여 알리다 (To inform via media). 4. 과정을 통하여 성장하다 (To grow through the process). 5. 협력을 통하여 이루다 (To achieve through cooperation).
Grammatically, this phrase attaches to the object marker ~을/를. It acts like a prepositional phrase in English. Pronunciation-wise, ensure you link the 'l' sound of the particle into the 't' sound of 'tong.' It sounds like 'tong-ha-yeo' with a smooth transition.
It is strictly a formal structure. There are no plural forms because it is a functional particle-based phrase. Focus on the flow of the sentence; it should sound rhythmic and steady, not choppy.
Fun Fact
The character 通 is used in many languages across Asia to mean connection.
Pronunciation Guide
Korean phonetics apply.
Korean phonetics apply.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'h' sound.
- Merging '을' too fast.
- Dropping the final 'o' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in formal text
Requires formal tone
Used in professional settings
Frequent in news
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Object Particle
책을 읽다
Connective Form
하고
Formal Speech
합니다
Examples by Level
책을 통하여 배웠어요.
Book + through + learned.
Simple past tense.
인터넷을 통하여 봤어요.
Internet + through + saw.
Method of viewing.
친구를 통하여 알았어요.
Friend + through + knew.
Source of information.
라디오를 통하여 들었어요.
Radio + through + heard.
Medium of sound.
편지를 통하여 받았어요.
Letter + through + received.
Method of delivery.
뉴스를 통하여 들었어요.
News + through + heard.
Source of news.
앱을 통하여 주문했어요.
App + through + ordered.
Digital tool.
사진을 통하여 봤어요.
Photo + through + saw.
Visual medium.
대화를 통하여 해결해요.
경험을 통하여 배워요.
교육을 통하여 성장해요.
조사를 통하여 알았어요.
회의를 통하여 결정해요.
광고를 통하여 봤어요.
소문을 통하여 들었어요.
지도를 통하여 찾아요.
협력을 통하여 성공했어요.
기술을 통하여 발전해요.
노력을 통하여 얻었어요.
대화를 통하여 풀었어요.
분석을 통하여 확인해요.
제도를 통하여 보호해요.
연습을 통하여 익혔어요.
토론을 통하여 배웠어요.
합의를 통하여 문제를 해결했습니다.
데이터를 통하여 결과를 도출합니다.
지속적인 대화를 통하여 신뢰를 쌓습니다.
전문가를 통하여 자문을 구합니다.
법률을 통하여 권리를 보호합니다.
다양한 경로를 통하여 정보를 수집합니다.
실험을 통하여 가설을 검증합니다.
협상을 통하여 계약을 체결합니다.
심도 있는 연구를 통하여 결론에 도달했습니다.
예술 활동을 통하여 감정을 표현합니다.
민주적인 절차를 통하여 의사를 결정합니다.
역사적 고찰을 통하여 교훈을 얻습니다.
지속 가능한 발전을 통하여 미래를 준비합니다.
국제적 협력을 통하여 평화를 유지합니다.
비판적 사고를 통하여 진실을 탐구합니다.
문화적 교류를 통하여 이해를 높입니다.
철학적 사유를 통하여 인간의 본질을 성찰합니다.
복잡한 사회 구조를 통하여 현상을 분석합니다.
문학적 비평을 통하여 시대 정신을 읽어냅니다.
엄격한 검증 과정을 통하여 이론을 정립합니다.
상호 존중을 통하여 갈등을 극복합니다.
예술적 승화를 통하여 고통을 치유합니다.
체계적인 시스템을 통하여 효율을 극대화합니다.
고전적 가치를 통하여 현대의 문제를 해결합니다.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"고생을 통하여 배우다"
To learn the hard way.
그는 고생을 통하여 인생을 배웠다.
neutral"대화를 통하여 풀다"
To resolve through talk.
우리는 대화를 통하여 오해를 풀었다.
neutral"과정을 통하여 성장하다"
To grow through the process.
어려운 과정을 통하여 크게 성장했다.
formal"매체를 통하여 알리다"
To publicize via media.
뉴스를 매체를 통하여 알렸다.
formal"협력을 통하여 이루다"
To achieve through teamwork.
팀은 협력을 통하여 성공을 이루었다.
formal"소통을 통하여 이해하다"
To understand through communication.
서로 소통을 통하여 이해했다.
neutralEasily Confused
It is the short version.
Formality level.
통하여 (formal) vs 통해 (neutral).
Both indicate method.
으로 is general, 통하여 is specific to mediation.
버스로 가다 vs 대화를 통하여 해결하다.
Both imply passing through.
거쳐 is for physical stages.
서울을 거쳐 가다.
Both mean mediation.
매개로 is very academic.
언어를 매개로 소통하다.
Sentence Patterns
Noun + 을/를 통하여 + Verb
뉴스를 통하여 들었습니다.
Noun + 을/를 통하여 + Adjective
경험을 통하여 성숙해졌습니다.
Noun + 을/를 통하여 + Conjunction + Clause
대화를 통하여, 우리는 합의했다.
Subject + Noun + 을/를 통하여 + Object + Verb
정부는 법을 통하여 질서를 세웠다.
Passive + Noun + 을/를 통하여 + Verb
지식은 교육을 통하여 전달된다.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Relacionado
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
It is better for abstract methods.
It sounds too stiff.
Don't add '에' or '에서'.
Context matters.
It works for people as intermediaries.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a tunnel connecting two rooms.
When Native Speakers Use It
In reports and presentations.
Cultural Insight
Shows respect for the process.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it after the noun.
Say It Right
Link the final consonant.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for simple tools like 'pen'.
Did You Know?
It is a pillar of formal Korean.
Study Smart
Group it with '통해'.
Formal Tip
Use it in written essays.
Professionalism
It makes your speech sound educated.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'tunnel' (tong) that you pass 'through' (ha-yeo).
Visual Association
A train passing through a tunnel.
Word Web
Desafio
Write 3 sentences about how you learn Korean using this phrase.
Origem da palavra
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To pass through (通)
Contexto cultural
None.
Equates to 'via' or 'through'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 회의를 통하여
- 협력을 통하여
- 보고서를 통하여
At school
- 연구를 통하여
- 토론을 통하여
- 수업을 통하여
In news
- 보도를 통하여
- 발표를 통하여
- 조사를 통하여
In daily life
- 인터넷을 통하여
- 친구를 통하여
- 경험을 통하여
Conversation Starters
"어떻게 한국어를 공부하세요? (인터넷을 통하여...)"
"어떻게 문제를 해결하시나요? (대화를 통하여...)"
"어디서 그 소식을 들으셨나요? (뉴스를 통하여...)"
"어떻게 그렇게 잘 아시나요? (경험을 통하여...)"
"어떤 방법으로 성장하셨나요? (교육을 통하여...)"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you learned something through a specific method.
Describe a conflict you resolved through dialogue.
Explain how you use the internet to learn new things.
Reflect on how your experiences have shaped you.
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasYes, '통해' is the shortened form.
Yes, e.g., 'friend through'.
Less than in formal writing.
No, it is fixed.
Still use 을/를.
It is a phrase derived from a verb.
Yes, it is great for resumes.
It is more specific about the 'medium'.
Teste-se
인터넷 ___ 배웠어요.
It is the method used.
Which is most formal?
통하여 is the full formal form.
Can you use this in a casual text to a friend?
It is usually too formal.
Word
Significado
Both are common collocations.
Noun + particle + through + verb.
그는 ___을 통하여 진실을 알았다.
It can be any method.
What is the primary function?
It denotes the medium.
Is '통하여' a verb?
It is a particle-based phrase.
Method comes before the result.
___을 통하여 역사를 이해한다.
High-level vocabulary fits the formal tone.
Pontuação: /10
Summary
Use ~을/를 통하여 when you want to sound professional while explaining the method behind your actions.
- Formal way to say 'through' or 'by means of'.
- Used to describe methods or mediums.
- Common in business, academic, and news contexts.
- Shortened to '통해' in less formal settings.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a tunnel connecting two rooms.
When Native Speakers Use It
In reports and presentations.
Cultural Insight
Shows respect for the process.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it after the noun.
Exemplo
인터넷을 통하여 정보를 얻었다.
Related Content
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Mais palavras de academic
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.
