通: the kanji for pass through, commute, communicate
通 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means pass through, commute, communicate. Below are its readings, 17 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
通 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
通 has 5 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 17 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ツウ (tsuu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 交通こうつう · kōtsū | traffic; transportation |
| 普通ふつう · futsū | ordinary; usually |
| 通勤つうきん · tsūkin | commuting to work |
| 通学つうがく · tsūgaku | commuting to school |
| 通訳つうやく · tsūyaku | interpreting; interpreter |
| 共通きょうつう · kyōtsū | common; shared |
| 通知つうち · tsūchi | notice; notification |
| 通信つうしん · tsūshin | communication |
| 通帳つうちょう · tsūchō | bankbook |
| 通過つうか · tsūka | passing through |
| 通路つうろ · tsūro | aisle; passage |
ツ (tsu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 通夜つや · tsuya | wake (before a funeral) |
とおる (tooru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 通るとおる · tōru | to pass; to go through |
| 通りとおり · tōri | street; as (instructed) |
とおす (toosu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 通すとおす · tōsu | to let through; to look through |
| 目を通すめをとおす · me o tōsu | to look over (a document) |
かよう (kayou)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 通うかよう · kayou | to commute; to go regularly |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 通勤に一時間かかります。Tsūkin ni ichijikan kakarimasu.My commute takes an hour.
- 資料に目を通しておいてください。Shiryō ni me o tōshite oite kudasai.Please look over the materials beforehand.
- 会議には通訳が付きます。Kaigi ni wa tsūyaku ga tsukimasu.An interpreter will be at the meeting.
- 説明書の通りに設定しました。Setsumeisho no tōri ni settei shimashita.I set it up as the manual says.
- 週に二回、日本語学校に通っています。Shū ni nikai, Nihongo gakkō ni kayotte imasu.I go to a Japanese school twice a week.
- この電車は品川を通りますか。Kono densha wa Shinagawa o tōrimasu ka.Does this train go through Shinagawa?
Questions about 通
How many strokes does 通 have?
通 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 通?
The on readings are tsuu (ツウ), tsu (ツ). The kun readings are tooru (とおる), toosu (とおす), kayou (かよう).
What does 普通 mean on a train?
普通 (futsū) is a local train that stops at every station. 快速 (kaisoku, rapid) and 急行 (kyūkō, express) skip some stations.
What JLPT level is 通?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 通
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.