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直通 (zhí tōng) — (v.) to lead directly to; to go straight to

Definition

A verb meaning a route or connection leads straight to a destination with no stops or detours — often used for transport, roads, and communication lines. Compare with 通往, which emphasizes the direction or endpoint rather than the nonstop nature.

verb
(v.) to lead directly toto go straight to

Examples

  • 直通，。
    Zhè tàng liè chē zhí tōng shàng hǎi, zhōng jiān bù tíng.
    This train goes directly to Shanghai without stopping.
  • 直通，。
    Zhè tiáo gāo sù zhí tōng jī chǎng, kāi chē hěn kuài.
    This expressway leads directly to the airport, so it's a fast drive.
  • 直通。
    Cóng zǒng bù yǒu yì tiáo zhuān xiàn zhí tōng fēn gōng sī.
    There is a dedicated line from headquarters that goes directly to the branch office.

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.

直zhídirectly
通tōngthrough

直 says directly and 通 says through, so the route leads straight through.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The earliest form of 直 pairs 目, an eye, with an unclear stroke 丨.

Open 直 →

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
Directions

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