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通顺 (tōng shùn) — smooth and coherent (of writing or speech)

Definition

Used for writing or speech that reads smoothly and logically, with no awkward phrasing. Closer to 流畅 (fluent, flow-focused) than to 顺利 (smooth for events/tasks).

adjective
smooth and coherent (of writing or speech)

Examples

  • 通顺。
    Zhè piān zuò wén xiě dé hěn tōng shùn.
    This essay is written very smoothly.
  • 通顺。
    Tā de zhōng wén biǎo dá yuè lái yuè tōng shùn le.
    His Chinese expression is getting smoother and more coherent.
  • ，。
    Zhè ge jù zi bù tōng shùn, xū yào gǎi yí xià.
    This sentence is not smooth, it needs to be revised.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

通tōngopen/coherent
顺shùnsmooth

通 means open or coherent and 顺 means smooth, so writing or speech flows easily and clearly.

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 順; 顺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yè
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān順shùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 順 pairs 川 (river), which gives the sound, with 頁 (head); the picture is a head in a river, following the current. The simplified 顺 is a shorthand.

Open 顺 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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