通过 (tōngguò)

通过 can mean "to pass through" a place, "to pass" an exam or vote, or "by means of" as a preposition indicating a method or channel.

Meanings

[preposition] Through; by means of; via (indicates the method or channel used).
[verb] To pass (an exam, a law, a review); to go through.

Example Sentences

他通过努力学习，终于考上了大学。 Tā tōngguò nǔlì xuéxí, zhōngyú kǎo shàng le dàxué. By studying hard, he finally got into university.

这项法律已经通过了投票。 Zhè xiàng fǎlǜ yǐjīng tōngguò le tóupiào. This law has already been passed by vote.

通过这次旅行，我了解了很多新文化。 Tōngguò zhè cì lǚxíng, wǒ liǎojiě le hěn duō xīn wénhuà. Through this trip, I learned about many new cultures.

他顺利通过了面试。 Tā shùnlì tōngguò le miànshì. He successfully passed the interview.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
通过考试	to pass an exam
通过努力	through hard work
通过投票	to pass by vote
通过学习	through studying
通过网络	via the internet

Usage Notes

When 通过 is a preposition, it comes before the method noun and precedes the main verb. When it is a verb, it takes an object such as an exam, law, or review. The context usually makes the role clear.

Memory Hook

通 means "to go through/connect" and 过 means "to cross/pass"; together they describe something traveling all the way through to the other side.