tōngguò: 通过 - To Pass Through, By Means of, Through, To Pass (a test/law)

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• Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese word 通过 (tōngguò), a crucial term for any beginner. Meaning “to pass,” “to pass through,” or “by means of,” 通过 (tōngguò) is your key to talking about everything from passing an exam and getting a law approved, to achieving a goal *through* hard work or contacting someone *via* the internet. This guide will break down its simple logic, cultural importance, and practical use in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tōngguò
• Part of Speech: Verb, Preposition
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To pass through, get through, or be approved; by means of or via.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 通过 (tōngguò) as a “gateway” word. It signifies successfully getting from one side of a challenge or barrier to the other. This can be a literal gateway you walk *through* (like a tunnel), a metaphorical one you overcome (like passing an exam), or the method *by means of which* you achieve something (like succeeding through effort). It always carries a sense of successful completion and passage.

• 通 (tōng): This character means “to go through,” “to connect,” or “unobstructed.” Picture a clear, open road or a pipe that things can flow through freely. It represents the idea of connection and unimpeded movement.
• 过 (guò): This character means “to cross,” “to pass,” or “to go over.” It implies movement from one point to another and is often associated with the completion of an action (like in the “past tense” particle `过`).
• When you combine “unobstructed connection” (通) with “crossing over” (过), you get 通过 (tōngguò): the powerful concept of successfully passing a hurdle, moving through a channel, or getting an idea approved and connected with its outcome.

While 通过 (tōngguò) may seem like a simple functional word, it taps into a significant aspect of modern Chinese culture: the idea of life as a series of crucial “gates” (关, guān) to be passed. From a young age, life is structured around major examinations and evaluations. The ultimate example is the notoriously difficult college entrance exam, the 高考 (gāokǎo). For millions of students, `通过高考` isn't just “passing a test”; it's a life-altering event that determines their future. This concept extends into professional life: `通过面试` (passing a job interview), `通过审核` (passing a review/audit), and getting proposals `通过` by a committee are all critical steps for advancement. In the West, we talk about “passing tests” and “getting things approved,” but the Chinese framework often feels more sequential and high-stakes, like a video game where you must clear one level to even access the next. 通过 is the celebrated verb of victory for each of these stages. It represents not just competence, but the successful navigation of a rigid and demanding system.

通过 (tōngguò) is extremely common and used in both formal and informal contexts. Its meaning shifts depending on whether it's used as a verb or a preposition.

This is its most common usage. It means to successfully clear a hurdle, test, or review.

• Passing Exams: `我通过了HSK四级考试。` (I passed the HSK 4 test.)
• Passing Legislation: `政府通过了一项新法律。` (The government passed a new law.)
• Passing an Interview/Audition: `她成功通过了面试。` (She successfully passed the job interview.)
• Passing a Physical Place: `车辆正在缓慢通过隧道。` (The vehicles are slowly passing through the tunnel.)

Here, it introduces the method, channel, or means by which something is done. It's often used in more formal or written contexts but is common in speech too.

• Expressing Method: `他通过努力学习，取得了高分。` (He got a high score through diligent study.)
• Expressing Channel: `我们可以通过微信联系。` (We can contact each other via WeChat.)
• Expressing a Mediator: `我是通过朋友认识他的。` (I met him through a friend.)

• Example 1:
  • 祝贺你通过了驾驶考试！
  • Pinyin: Zhùhè nǐ tōngguò le jiàshǐ kǎoshì!
  • English: Congratulations on passing your driving test!
  • Analysis: A classic example of 通过 used as a verb meaning “to pass” a test or an exam. The `了 (le)` indicates the completion of the action.
• Example 2:
  • 这个议案在国会顺利通过了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège yì'àn zài guóhuì shùnlì tōngguò le.
  • English: This bill passed smoothly in the parliament.
  • Analysis: Here, 通过 means “to be passed” or “approved” in a formal, legislative context.
• Example 3:
  • 我是通过朋友介绍才得到这个工作机会的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shì tōngguò péngyou jièshào cái dédào zhège gōngzuò jīhuì de.
  • English: It was through a friend's introduction that I got this job opportunity.
  • Analysis: 通过 is used as a preposition meaning “through” or “by means of.” It explains the channel or method used to get the job. The `是…的 (shì…de)` structure emphasizes this method.
• Example 4:
  • 你可以通过电子邮件把文件发给我。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ tōngguò diànzǐ yóujiàn bǎ wénjiàn fā gěi wǒ.
  • English: You can send me the document via email.
  • Analysis: A very practical use of 通过 as a preposition, meaning “via” or “by way of.” It introduces the communication channel.
• Example 5:
  • 通过不断的练习，我的中文水平提高了很多。
  • Pinyin: Tōngguò bùduàn de liànxí, wǒ de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng tígāo le hěn duō.
  • English: Through continuous practice, my Chinese level has improved a lot.
  • Analysis: 通过 introduces the means to an end. It answers the question “How did you improve?”—“Through practice.”
• Example 6:
  • 所有旅客都必须通过安全检查。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu lǚkè dōu bìxū tōngguò ānquán jiǎnchá.
  • English: All passengers must go through the security check.
  • Analysis: This uses 通过 as a verb for physically passing through a checkpoint. It implies a check or inspection that must be successfully cleared.
• Example 7:
  • 他的申请已经被委员会通过了。
  • Pinyin: Tā de shēnqǐng yǐjīng bèi wěiyuánhuì tōngguò le.
  • English: His application has already been approved by the committee.
  • Analysis: 通过 here means “approved.” The passive voice `被 (bèi)` highlights that the application was the recipient of the “passing” action.
• Example 8:
  • 我们开车通过了一座很长的桥。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen kāichē tōngguò le yí zuò hěn cháng de qiáo.
  • English: We drove across a very long bridge.
  • Analysis: Similar to the tunnel example, this is about physically passing through or across a location.
• Example 9:
  • 通过这次经历，我学到了很多东西。
  • Pinyin: Tōngguò zhè cì jīnglì, wǒ xuédào le hěn duō dōngxi.
  • English: Through this experience, I learned a lot.
  • Analysis: 通过 introduces an abstract “medium”—an experience—through which learning was achieved.
• Example 10:
  • 只有通过认证的供应商才能进入我们的系统。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu tōngguò rènzhèng de gōngyìngshāng cái néng jìnrù wǒmen de xìtǒng.
  • English: Only suppliers that have passed certification can enter our system.
  • Analysis: A business context where 通过 is part of a modifier phrase (`通过认证的` - certification-passing) describing the noun `供应商` (suppliers).

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 通过 (tōngguò) and 经过 (jīngguò).

• 通过 (tōngguò): Emphasizes a successful outcome or a method. When you `通过` a test, you pass it. When you do something `通过` a method, you use that method to achieve a result. It answers “Did you succeed?” (Yes) or “How did you do it?” (By this means).
• 经过 (jīngguò): Emphasizes the process of passing by a place or a period of time. It's about the journey, not the destination or the result. It simply states that you went past something or that a certain amount of time has passed.

Common Mistake:

• Incorrect: `我经过了考试。` (Wǒ jīngguò le kǎoshì.)
• Why it's wrong: This literally means “I went through the physical process of the exam” or “I passed by the exam room.” It doesn't say whether you passed or failed.
• Correct: `我通过了考试。` (Wǒ tōngguò le kǎoshì.)
• Meaning: “I passed the test.” (Success is implied).

Another Example:

• `我开车经过了天安门。` (Wǒ kāichē jīngguò le Tiān'ānmén.) - I drove past Tiananmen Square. (Describing the route).
• `我们开车通过了那个隧道。` (Wǒmen kāichē tōngguò le nàge suìdào.) - We drove through that tunnel. (Describing successfully getting from one end to the other).

• 经过 (jīngguò) - Its closest counterpart and a common point of confusion. Refers to the process of passing *by* or the passage of time, without implying a successful outcome.
• 穿过 (chuānguò) - To physically go through or penetrate something, like `穿过森林` (go through a forest) or `穿过人群` (cut through a crowd). More focused on physical movement than `通过`.
• 及格 (jígé) - A more specific verb meaning “to pass a test by meeting the minimum requirement,” i.e., to get a passing grade. `通过考试` is more general and common.
• 批准 (pīzhǔn) - To formally approve or ratify. This is often the action a person or committee takes to let a proposal or application `通过`.
• 靠 (kào) - Can mean “to rely on” or “by means of.” It's sometimes a synonym for `通过` when expressing method, but `靠` implies a stronger sense of dependence. `靠努力` vs. `通过努力`.
• 用 (yòng) - The most basic word for “to use.” For concrete methods, `用` is more common (e.g., `用筷子吃饭` - eat with chopsticks). `通过` is often used for more abstract methods or channels (`通过学习` - through study).
• 渠道 (qúdào) - A channel or medium. This noun is frequently used with `通过`, as in `通过官方渠道` (through official channels).