-을/를 통해

Through, By Means of

Level 6Sounds Like eul reul tonghae

-을/를 통해 attaches to a noun to mean 'through' or 'by means of' that noun. It signifies the channel, method, or process used to achieve something. For example, '인터넷을 통해' means 'through the internet'.

How It Works

-을/를 통해 is a sophisticated pattern used to express the medium, method, or process by which an action is accomplished. It is more formal and nuanced than the simpler particle -(으)로.

Formation:
It attaches directly to a noun.

  • Noun ending in a vowel + -를 통해 (e.g., 친구를 통해 - through a friend)
  • Noun ending in a consonant + -을 통해 (e.g., 인터넷을 통해 - through the internet)

Key Usages:

1. Medium or Channel: It indicates the channel through which information or communication passes.
• 언론을 통해 사건이 알려졌어요. (The incident became known through the media.)
• 이메일을 통해 서류를 보냈습니다. (I sent the documents via email.)

2. Process or Experience: It can refer to an abstract process, experience, or period of time that leads to a result.
• 꾸준한 연습을 통해 실력이 늘었어요. (My skills improved through consistent practice.)
• 실패를 통해 더 큰 교훈을 얻을 수 있습니다. (You can gain a bigger lesson through failure.)

3. Intermediary: It can indicate a person or organization that acts as an intermediary.
• 선배를 통해 좋은 일자리를 소개받았어요. (I was introduced to a good job through a senior colleague.)

Comparison with Similar Patterns:

-을/를 통해 vs. -(으)로
While both can mean 'by means of', they have different nuances.

  • -(으)로 is used for direct tools, instruments, materials, and transportation. It is very common in everyday speech. (e.g., 펜으로 쓰다 - to write with a pen; 버스로 가다 - to go by bus). Using -을/를 통해 here would be unnatural.
  • -을/를 통해 emphasizes the entire process or system that acts as a medium. It's more common with abstract concepts and in formal/written Korean. (e.g., 교육을 통해 사회가 발전한다 - Society develops through education).

-을/를 통해 vs. -에 의해(서)
Both are formal, but -에 의해(서) often implies a more direct cause or agent, especially in passive sentences.

  • -에 의해(서) often translates to 'by' in a passive sense. (e.g., 이 건물은 유명한 건축가에 의해 설계되었다 - This building was designed by a famous architect.)
  • -을/를 통해 focuses on the medium or process. In some formal contexts, they can be interchangeable, but -을/를 통해 highlights the 'how' (process), while -에 의해 highlights the 'who' or 'what' (agent/cause).

Examples (5)

  1. 인터넷을 통해 최신 뉴스를 확인해요.

    I check the latest news through the internet.

    Word by Word: Internet-through latest news check.

  2. 경험을 통해 많은 것을 배웠습니다.

    I learned many things through experience.

    Word by Word: Experience-through many things learned.

  3. 우리는 대화를 통해 오해를 풀었어요.

    We resolved the misunderstanding through dialogue.

    Word by Word: We dialogue-through misunderstanding resolved.

  4. 이 프로그램을 통해 한국어를 공부하고 있어요.

    I am studying Korean through this program.

    Word by Word: This program-through Korean language am studying.

  5. 본 연구는 설문조사를 통해 데이터를 수집하였습니다.

    This study collected data through a survey.

    Word by Word: This study survey-through data collected.

    This is a very common usage in academic or formal writing to describe methodology.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -을/를 통해 for simple, direct tools where -(으)로 is more appropriate.

    Not Quite칼을 통해 사과를 잘랐어요.
    Better칼로 사과를 잘랐어요.

    For a direct physical instrument like a knife, the particle -(으)로 is the correct choice. -을/를 통해 implies a more complex medium or process, not a simple tool.

  • Using it for a direct object of an action.

    Not Quite저는 어제 영화를 통해 봤어요.
    Better저는 어제 TV를 통해 영화를 봤어요.

    The incorrect sentence sounds like 'I saw through the movie yesterday'. The noun before -을/를 통해 must be the medium (TV), not the object being viewed (movie). If there is no medium, you would just say '영화를 봤어요' (I saw the movie).

Related Patterns

Words in This Pattern

통하다을를
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