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通过 (tōng guò) — (verb) to pass (a test, legislation); to get through; to adopt; (preposition) by means of; through; via

Definition

As a verb, 通过 means to pass (a test) or adopt (a proposal); as a preposition, it means 'through / via' a medium or method. Compare 由 (marks the agent or doer) and 透过 (more abstract, like 'via' a channel or means).

verb
to pass (a test, legislation)to get throughto adopt
preposition
by means ofthroughvia

Examples

  • 通过。
    Tā tōng guò le zhè cì miàn shì.
    He passed this interview.
  • 通过。
    Wǒ men tōng guò hù lián wǎng xué xí hàn yǔ.
    We study Chinese through the internet.
  • 通过。
    Zhè tiáo fǎ lǜ shàng zhōu tōng guò le.
    This law was passed last week.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

通tōngpass
过guòacross

通过 joins 通 (pass) and 过 (across), so something passes through, is adopted, or acts by means of.

Characters in this word

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 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 過; 过 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
咼
咼wāi過guò
Same sound today

The traditional form 過 pairs 辵 (walk) with 咼 as a sound component; the simplified 过 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 过 →

Grammar

Appears in
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