Comparing "tongguo" and “jingguo"

One of the trickier points of Chinese grammar is how to use 通过 (tōngguò) and 经过 (jīngguò) correctly. Though they have very similar meanings, they have somewhat different usages.

通过 as a Verb

Structure 1

The first way that 通过 is used as a verb is that it means going through a certain object, as in penetrating into and coming out of something. In this case, it is similar to the word 穿过.

Subj. + 通过 + Obj.

Examples

• 从 我 家 走 到 这里 需要 通过 两 座 桥。To get here from my house, I have to cross two bridges.
• 你 往 前 走，通过 一 扇 红 色 的 门，然后 左 拐 就 看到 了。Go straight ahead, go through a red door, turn left, and you'll see it.

Structure 2

The second way that 通过 is used as a verb is that it means that something goes through effort in order to reach acknowledgement or agreement. This is similar to how we say a bill "passes through" the legislature, or how you can "meet someone through a friend."

Subj. + 通过 + Obj.

Examples

• 纽约 大学 通过 了 我 的 申请。New York University went through my application.
• 我 通过 了 这 次 考试。I went through this test.
• 这 个 项目 通过了 董事会。This item went through the board of directors.

通过 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 + Method，Subj. + Predicate

Subj. + 通过 + Method + Predicate

Examples

• 通过 研究，我们 发现 大豆 对 身体 很 有 好处。Through our research, we've discovered that soybeans are good for the body.
• 公司 通过 裁员 的 方法 解决 金融 危机 带来 的 问题。The company lay-off method helped solve its finance problem.
• 我们 通过 他 的 朋友 才 找到 了 他。We found him via his friends.

经过 as Verb

Structure 1

The first way that 经过 is used as a verb is that it means "to pass by" or "to pass through." It is like saying "I went through downtown" or "I passed by the cemetery".

Subj. + 经过 + Place

Examples

• 每天 我 都 经过 这 个 小 商店。I go past this little store every day.
• 去 机场 的 时候 我们 会 经过 人民广场 吗？When we go to the airport, do we pass the People's Square Station?

Structure 2

The second way that 经过 is used as a verb is that it means "to experience something" or "going through a time." It emphasizes the process of that experience. When expressing "to experience something", it often has a negative connotation, like 教训 (jiàoxun), 考验 (kǎoyàn), 锻炼 (duànliàn), 战争 (zhànzhēng), and 比赛 (bǐsài). If it is talking about "going through a time," it is usually talking about the past.

经过 + Event/Time，Subj. + Predicate

Examples

• 经过 一 个 月 的 培训，我们 的 新 员工 已经 准备 好 了。After going through a month of training, our staff has prepared well.
• 经过 详细 的 解释 我 才 明白 了 这 个 问题。After going through a detailed explanation, I finally understood the problem.

经过 as Noun

As a noun, 经过 refers to the process of something.

Structure

Adj. + 经过

Examples

• 请 你 跟 我们 说 一下 当时 的 经过。Please tell us a little about that process.
• 事情 的 真实 经过 谁 都 不 知道。Notice the use of the topic-comment structure No one knows the actual course of events.

Example of right and wrong usage

• 经过 他 的 女 朋友，我们 找到 了 他。
• 通过 他 的 女 朋友，我们 找到 了 他。
• 经过 上海，中国 看到 了 世界。
• 通过 上海，中国 看到 了 世界。

Example Dialog

• A: 我 第 一 次 坐 飞机 没 通过 安检。The first time I flew, I didn't get through a security check.
• B: 为什么？说说 经过。Why not? Tell me what happened.
• A: 我 带 了 一 大 瓶 牛奶。I brought a big bottle of milk.
• B: 牛奶 不 能 带。后来 呢？You can't bring milk. And then?
• A: 后来 通过 我 的 努力 把 牛奶 喝完 了。Then I tried my hardest to drink it all.
• B:那 为什么 还 没 通过 安检？So, why didn't you go through the security check?
• A: 我 经过 一 个 安检 人员 的 时候 说 了 句 脏话。I swore as I passed a security guard.
• B:你 这 是 找 麻烦。You just look for trouble.

Sources and further reading

Books

• 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (p.214) →buy

• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (p. 1) →buy

• 现代汉语虚词例释 (p. 1)→buy

• Reference:Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)(p.230)→ buy

• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 123) →buy

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