Expressing "through" with "tongguo"

The first meaning of 通过 (tōngguò) used as a verb is "to go through" a certain object, as in penetrating into and coming out of something. The second meaning is "to pass," which means someone goes through effort in order to reach acknowledgment or agreement.

Used as a Verb

Examples

• 从 我 家 到 那儿 要 通过 两 座 桥 。Cóng wǒ jiā dào nàr yào tōngguò liǎng zuò qiáo.To get there from my house, you have to cross two bridges.
• 通过 那个 红色 的 大门 ，左拐 就 到 了 。Tōngguò nàge hóngsè de dà mén, zuǒ guǎi jiù dào le.Go through that red door, turn left and you are there.
• 我 通过 了 这个 考试 。Wǒ tōngguò le zhège kǎoshì.I passed this test.
• 他 没 通过 昨天 的 面试 。Tā méi tōngguò zuótiān de miànshì.He didn't pass yesterday's job interview.
• 那个 穿 黑 衣服 的 男人 没 通过 机场 的 安检 。Nàge chuān hēi yīfu de nánrén méi tōngguò jīchǎng de ānjiǎn.That man in black didn't pass the security check at the airport.

Used as a Preposition

As a preposition, 通过 expresses using a certain method to achieve a desired outcome. It emphasizes the manner or method of doing something, and it can be placed before or after the subject.

Structure

通过 + Agent / Method ，Subj. ⋯⋯

Examples

• 我们 是 通过 他 的 朋友 找到 他 的 。Wǒmen shì tōngguò tā de péngyou zhǎodào tā de.We found him via his friends.
• 通过 这个 调查 ，我们 发现 很多 人 都 支持 他 。Tōngguò zhège diàochá, wǒmen fāxiàn hěn duō rén dōu zhīchí tā.Through this survey, we found that many people support him.
• 通过 这个 短片 ，我们 更了解 你们 公司 了 。Tōngguò zhège duǎnpiàn, wǒmen gèng liǎojiě nǐmen gōngsī le.We've got a better understanding of your company through this short film.
• 通过 他 的 介绍 ，我 认识 了 我 现在 的 老板 。Tōngguò tā de jièshào, wǒ rènshi le wǒ xiànzài de lǎobǎn.Through his introduction, I met my current boss.
• 通过 每 个 月 的 培训，我们 的 员工 更 专业 了 。Tōngguò měi gè yuè de péixùn, wǒmen de yuángōng gèng zhuānyè le.Our employees have become more professional through monthly trainings.

See also

• Expressing "after" with "jingguo"
• Using "lai" to connect two verb phrases

Sources and further reading

Books

• HSK Standard Course 4上 (pp. 106) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (pp. 123) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy

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