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 acknowledgement 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 here 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 hóng sè de dà mén, zuǒ guǎi jiù dào le.Go through that red door, turn left and you are there.
• 我 通过 了 这 次 考试 。Wǒ tōngguò le zhè cì kǎoshì.I passed this test.
• 你们 通过 学校 的 检查 了 吗 ？Nǐmen tōngguò xuéxiào de jiǎnchá le ma?Did you pass the examination by the school?
• 他 没 通过 昨天 的 面试 。Tā méi tōngguò zuótiān de miànshì.He didn't pass yesterday's job interview.

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 and 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 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 are more professional through monthly training.

See also

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