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通(tōng / tòng) — meaning, uses and examples

通tōng

1. verb open; through; to lead to

   这条隧道下月通车。

   Zhè tiáo suìdào xià yuè tōngchē.

   This tunnel opens to traffic next month.

2. verb to unclog; to ventilate

   师傅来帮我们通下水道。

   Shīfu lái bāng wǒmen tōng xiàshuǐdào.

   The worker came to unclog our drain.

3. adjective smooth (of writing); proficient

   这句话不通，得改改。

   Zhè jù huà bù tōng, děi gǎigai.

   This sentence doesn't read right — it needs fixing.

4. adjective common; general (as in 通用, 普通)

   英语是一种通用语言。

   Yīngyǔ shì yī zhǒng tōngyòng yǔyán.

   English is a universal language.

通tòng

1. measure word classifier: bursts of continuous action

   他把儿子骂了一通。

   Tā bǎ érzi mà le yī tòng.

   He gave his son a good scolding.