Definition
流通 (liú tōng) means 'to circulate' — used for air, water, money, goods, and information moving through a system or market. It is broader than 流动 (liú dòng), which emphasizes physical flow (liquids, people), and 流传 (liú chuán), which is about spreading over time (stories, traditions). For turnover of funds/inventory, use 周转 (zhōu zhuǎn).
verb
(of air, water, money) to circulate(of goods, information) to circulateto distribute
Easily confused
- 疏通shū tōnglook-aliketo unblock, to dredge, to clear (physical obstruction)
Examples
- 流通。Dǎkāi chuānghù ràng xīnxiān kōngqì liú tōng qǐlai.Open the window to let fresh air circulate.
- 流通。Yāngháng fùzé liú tōng huòbì yǐ bǎochí jīngjì wěndìng.The central bank is responsible for circulating currency to keep the economy stable.
- 流通。Hùliánwǎng ràng xìnxī zài quánqiú gèng kuài de liú tōng.The internet allows information to circulate more quickly around the world.
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