Mastering the Japanese Verb “通す” (toosu): From Physical Passage to Persistence

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Mastering the Japanese Verb “通す” (toosu): From Physical Passage to Persistence
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

To let through, to pass through, or to complete an action to the end.

🎯 Primary Function

Expresses the act of moving something through a space or sustaining an action/state until completion.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun を 通す / Verb-ます stem + 通す
Not applicable (used with verbs and nouns).
Not applicable (used with verbs and nouns).
Noun を 通さない / Verb-stem 通さない

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Used in business when discussing getting approvals or carrying out projects.

😊 Informal Situations

Used in daily life for threading needles, letting people into rooms, or sticking to one’s guns.

✍️ Written Language

Frequent in literature to describe perseverance or in reports regarding official approvals.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Commonly used both as a standalone verb and as a suffix for compound verbs.

💡 Common Applications

Physical Movement
Used when an object allows something else to pass through it physically.
Example: カーテンが光を通す (Curtains let light through)
Completion/Persistence
Attached to a verb stem to indicate completing a difficult task or maintaining a state until the end.
Example: やり通す (To do something until the end)
Procedural Approval
Used when getting a plan, bill, or idea accepted or approved through a formal process.
Example: 企画を通す (To pass a proposal)
📊
Frequency
High
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N3
Tag:

Related Kanji

JLPT N3 Kanji List

Related Vocabulary

JLPT N3 Vocabulary List
Example Sentences
Example #1
お客様を応接間に通してください。
Furigana: おきゃくさまをおうせつまにとおしてください。
Romaji: Okyakusama o ousetsuma ni tooshite kudasai.
English: Please let the guest into the drawing room.
Example #2
ようやく針に糸を通すことができた。
Furigana: ようやくはりにいとをとおすことができた。
Romaji: Youyaku hari ni ito o toosu koto ga dekita.
English: I was finally able to thread the needle.
Example #3
最後まで自分の計画をやり通すつもりだ。
Furigana: さいごまでじぶんのけいかくをやりとおすつもりだ。
Romaji: Saigo made jibun no keikaku o yaritoosu tsumori da.
English: I will carry out my initial plan to the very end.
Example #4
風を通すために窓を開けてあります。
Furigana: かぜをとおすためにまどをあけてあります。
Romaji: Kaze o toosu tame ni mado o akete arimasu.
English: The window is open to let the air through.
Example #5
彼は最後まで嘘をつき通した。
Furigana: かれはさいごまでうそをつきとおした。
Romaji: Kare wa saigo made uso o tsukitooshita.
English: He kept telling lies until the very end.
Example #6
試験勉強のために一晩中起き通した。
Furigana: しけんべんきょうのためにひとばんじゅうおきとおした。
Romaji: Shiken benkyou no tame ni hitobanjuu okitooshita.
English: I stayed awake all night studying for the exam.
Example #7
この会社で新しい企画を通すのは難しい。
Furigana: このかいしゃであたらしいきかくをとおすのはむずかしい。
Romaji: Kono kaisha de atarashii kikaku o toosu no wa muzukashii.
English: It is difficult to get a new project approved in this company.
Example #8
このカーテンは光をよく通す。
Furigana: このカーテンはひかりをよくとおす。
Romaji: Kono kaaten wa hikari o yoku toosu.
English: These curtains let the light through well.
Example #9
反対を押し切って、自分の意見を通した。
Furigana: はんたいをおしきって、じぶんのいけんをとおした。
Romaji: Hantai o oshikitte, jibun no iken o tooshita.
English: She insisted on her opinion despite everyone’s opposition.反対を押し切って、自分の意見を通した。
Example #10
この厚い本を一にちで読み通した。
Furigana: このあついほんをいちにちでよみとおした。
Romaji: Kono atsui hon o ichinichi de yomitooshita.
English: I read this thick book cover to cover in one day.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Continuity Suffix
When used as a suffix, it implies a sense of effort or strong will to maintain a state.
Example: 一晩中起き通す (Stayed awake all night)
Physical Passage
Standard transitive use where an object is guided through an opening.
Example: 針に糸を通す (Thread a needle)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ 試験を通す (Shiken o toosu) [when meaning ‘I passed’]
✅ 試験に通る (Shiken ni tooru)
‘Toosu’ is transitive (to pass something). To say ‘to pass an exam’ as a result, use the intransitive ‘tooru’. ‘Toosu’ would mean you are the examiner letting someone pass.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral/Standard. Use ‘tooshimasu’ for politeness.
Social Situations: Common in contexts requiring determination (carrying out a will) or hospitality (letting a guest in).
Regional Variations: Standard across Japan.

🔍 Subtle Differences

通す (Toosu) vs. 通る (Tooru)
Toosu is transitive (doing the passing); Tooru is intransitive (something passes).
When to use: Use ‘Toosu’ when you are the agent directing the movement.

📝 Conjugation Notes

It is a Group 1 (u-verb). Potential form: 通せる (toosery). Passive: 通される (toosareru). Causative: 通させる (toosaseru).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The ‘oo’ is a long vowel (tōsu). Make sure to extend the ‘o’ sound slightly.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of ‘Toosu’ as ‘To Toss through.’ While not etymologically related, it helps remember the action of pushing something through a gap or through time.

Other Grammar

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