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互通 (hù tōng) — to exchange (information, goods, experiences); to intercommunicate

Definition

Literally 'mutually connect', used in formal/written contexts for two-way exchange of information, resources, or experience. Common in phrases like 互通有无 (exchange what one has for what one needs).

verb
to exchange (information, goods, experiences)to intercommunicate

Examples

  • 互通，。
    Liǎng guó qǐ yè kě yǐ hù tōng yǒu wú, gòng tóng fā zhǎn.
    Enterprises from both countries can exchange goods and develop together.
  • 互通。
    Wǒ men jiàn lì le hù tōng xìn xī de píng tái.
    We have established a platform for exchanging information.
  • 互通。
    Zhè cì huì yì ràng dà jiā hù tōng le jīng yàn.
    This meeting allowed everyone to share experiences.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

互hùmutual
通tōngcommunicate

互 'mutual' before 通 'communicate' gives intercommunicate.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The form 互 is a tooth shape with a distinguishing mark added.

Open 互 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng通tōng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

通 pairs 辶, a part associated with movement, with 甬, which gives the sound.

Open 通 →
Appears in
Communication & Speech

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