を通じて/を通して

Through

Level 3Sounds Like wotsuujite/wotoushite

Use を通じて (formal) or を通して (standard) to describe doing something via a medium or person, or to say something happens throughout a whole period of time.

How It Works

Both を通じて（をつうじて） and を通して（をとおして） follow the structure [Noun] + を. While they overlap, they have critical differences in usage:

1. Means or Intermediary ('Through')
Used when a person, organization, or medium acts as a 'go-between.'

  • を通じて: More formal and objective. It often implies a natural or passive process where the intermediary is just a channel.
  • を通して: More common in daily speech. It often implies an active, volitional effort or a personal experience.

2. Physical Passage (CRITICAL DISTINCTION)
This refers to physical penetration or looking through a medium.

  • を通して: This is the standard pattern for physical passage, such as looking through a lens (レンズを通して) or light passing through a window.
  • を通じて: Cannot be used for physical passage. It is restricted to abstract or non-physical channels.

3. Duration ('Throughout')
Used with time-related nouns (year, four seasons, lifetime) to show a state is constant.

  • Example: 一年を通じて (Throughout the year).
  • In this context, を通じて is slightly more common for describing natural phenomena or formal reports.

Grammatical Forms:

  • Adverbial: Noun + を通じて/を通して + Verb.
  • Adjective-like: Noun + を通じた/を通した + Noun (e.g., 読書を通した学び - Learning through reading).
  • Possessive: Noun + を通じての/を通しての + Noun (e.g., 友人を通じての紹介 - Introduction via a friend).

Examples (4)

  1. 彼はインターネットを通じて、世界中のニュースをチェックしている。

    He checks news from around the world through the internet.

    Word by Word: He (topic) internet through, world-middle news (object) checking is.

    Here, the internet is the medium or channel used to get information.

  2. 二人は共通の友人を通して知り合いました。

    The two of them met through a mutual friend.

    Word by Word: Two people (topic) mutual friend through met.

    The friend acts as the intermediary (the 'go-between') for the meeting.

  3. この島は一年を通じて温暖な気候です。

    This island has a mild climate throughout the year.

    Word by Word: This island (topic) one year throughout mild climate is.

    This shows the duration usage, meaning the climate stays mild from the beginning to the end of the year.

  4. ボランティア活動を通した経験は、私にとって大切です。

    The experience gained through volunteer activities is important to me.

    Word by Word: Volunteer activities through-past experience (topic), me for important is.

    This uses the attributive form (を通した) to modify the noun 'experience'.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing simple transit with the grammar pattern for a medium.

    公園を通して歩きました。
    公園を通って歩きました。

    For simple physical transit (walking through a park, passing a station), use the verb 通って（とおって）. Use を通して only when the space acts as a medium or channel, such as looking through a window or light passing through a lens.

  • Using を通じて for physical penetration or passage.

    窓を通じて外を見ました。
    窓を通して外を見ました。

    While both patterns mean 'through,' を通じて is strictly for abstract channels or time periods. It cannot be used for physical passage. For looking through a window or light passing through a medium, you must use を通して.

  • Using it for a direct source of information.

    母を通じてその話を聞きました。
    母からその話を聞きました。

    If you heard information directly from someone, use から (from). Use を通じて only if that person acted as an intermediary or 'go-between' for the information.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

を通じて/を通してLevel 3Through

Learn This First

To understand 'を通じて/を通して', learners need to be comfortable with the object marker 'を' and the 'te-form' of verbs, as these patterns function as compound particles derived from verbs. A basic grasp of how verbs can be turned into connectors using the 'te-form' is necessary to see how 'passing through' becomes a grammatical way to express means or duration.

Words in This Pattern

を通して通す通じる