Definition
通电话 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to make a phone call' or 'to be on the phone with someone'. It is slightly more formal than 打电话 and emphasises that a connection is established. You can split the two parts to insert a measure word, a time duration, or a complement: 通过一次电话 ('called once'), 通过电话 ('have called before'). The person you call is introduced with 跟, 和, or 给 before the object, not directly after 通电话.
v.o.
to make a phone callto speak on the phone (formal/emphasising connection)
Examples
- 通电话。Wǒmen měitiān wǎnshàng dōu tōng diàn huà.We talk on the phone every evening.
- 。Wǒ gēn tā tōngguò yí cì diànhuà.I've spoken with him on the phone once.
- ，通电话。Nǐ fāngbiàn de shíhou, qǐng gěi wǒ tōng diàn huà.Please call me when you have time.
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