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 走 到 这里 需要 通过 两 座 桥 。Cóng wǒ jiā zǒu dào zhèlǐ xūyào tōngguò liǎng zuò qiáo.To get here from my house, I have to cross two bridges.
• 你 往 前 走 ， 通过 一 个 红 色 的 大 门 ， 然后 左 拐 就 看到 了 。Nǐ wǎng qián zǒu, tōngguò yī shān hóng sè de dà mén, ránhòu zuǒ guǎi jiù kàn dào le.Go straight ahead, go through a red door, turn left, and you'll see it.
• 我 通过 了 这 次 考试 。 Wǒ tōngguò le zhè cì kǎoshì.I passed this test.
• 纽约 大学 通过 了 我 的 申请 。Niǔyuē dàxué tōngguò le wǒ de shēnqǐng.New York University went through my application.
• 他 没 通过 那 家 公司 的 面试 。Tā méi tōngguò nà jiā gōngsī de miànshì.He didn't pass that company's 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. ⋯⋯

or

通过 + [Verb Phrase] ，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 次 调查，我们 发现 很 多 员工 对 新 规定 都 不 满意 。Tōngguò zhè cì diàochá, wǒmen fāxiàn hěn duō yuángōng duì xīn zhèngcè dōu bù mǎnyì.Through this survey, we found many employees are not very satisfied with the new policy.
• 通过 参加 这个 活动 ，大家 互相 更 了解 了 。Tōngguò cānjiā zhège huódòng, dàjiā hùxiāng gèng liǎojiě le.Through attending this activity, everyone knows more about each other.