Definition
相通 (xiāng tōng) means 'to be connected' — it describes a state of mutual connection, whether between physical spaces (rooms, subway lines) or abstract feelings/thoughts. It differs from 沟通 (gōu tōng), which is the active process of communicating, and from 交流 (jiāo liú), which focuses on exchange and interaction. 通信 (tōng xìn) is specifically about remote communication via media.
verb
to be connected (of spaces, passages)to communicateto be in mutual understanding (of feelings, thoughts)
Easily confused
- 相同xiāng tóngsound-alikesame, identical
Examples
- 相通，。Zhè liǎng jiān wòshì shì xiāng tōng de, zhōngjiān yǒu yí dào mén.These two bedrooms are connected, with a door in between.
- ，相通。Wǒmen suīrán yǔyán bù tóng, dàn xīn shì xiāng tōng de.Although we speak different languages, our hearts are in tune.
- 相通。Liǎng tiáo dìtiě xiàn zài shì zhōngxīn xiāng tōng.The two subway lines connect at the city center.
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