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贯通 (guàn tōng) — to link up; to connect (physically or abstractly); to achieve a thorough understanding of; to master (through synthesis)

Definition

贯通 links two ends or fields into one whole, or means mastering something through synthesis. It emphasizes completion across a span, unlike 相连 (just being connected) or 沟通 (exchanging ideas).

verb
to link upto connect (physically or abstractly)to achieve a thorough understanding ofto master (through synthesis)

Examples

  • 贯通。
    Zhè tiáo gāo sù gōng lù guàn tōng le dōng xī liǎng gè chéng shì.
    This expressway links up the eastern and western cities.
  • 贯通。
    Tā de yán jiū guàn tōng le lì shǐ yǔ wèi lái.
    His research connects history and the future.
  • ，贯通。
    Jīng guò duō nián xué xí, tā zhōng yú guàn tōng le zhè mén yì shù.
    After years of study, he finally mastered this art.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

贯guànthread
通tōngconnect

贯 (thread) and 通 (connect) together describe linking through or understanding fully.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 貫; 贯 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 貫 originally showed two shells strung together; the simplified 贯 is a later abbreviation.

Open 贯 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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