1. Meaning and Usage
The core meaning of the kanji 通 is "to pass through," "to commute," "to be open to traffic," "to understand," or "a way/street." It represents the concept of unobstructed movement, flow, or comprehension.
Common Readings and Words:
つう (tsū): The Sino-Japanese reading used in compound words.
通訳 (tsūyaku): Interpreter. (通-pass through + 訳-translate → "one who translates through languages")
通行 (tsūkō): Passage, traffic. (通-pass + 行-go)
普通 (futsū): Normal, usual. (普-universally + 通-pass → "what passes everywhere" / common standard)
通学 (tsūgaku): Commuting to school. (通-commute + 学-study)
とお (tō): Used in native Japanese verbs.
通る (tōru): The basic verb "to pass through," "to go along," "to be understood."
通う (kayou): To commute, to go back and forth regularly.
かよ (kayo): Used in the verb 通う (kayou).
2. Correct Stroke Order
Writing 通 correctly requires attention to its structure. The kanji is composed of the left radical 辶 (shinnyō - to move) and the right component 甬 (yō).
Total Strokes: 10
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Right Component: 甬 (Yō)
Stroke 1: The horizontal折 (oritsu) at the top.
Stroke 2: The left-falling stroke (撇).
Stroke 3: The vertical stroke (竖).
Stroke 4: The short horizontal stroke (横).
Stroke 5: The second short horizontal stroke (横).
Stroke 6: The long horizontal stroke (横). Note: The internal component is written first, before the enclosing walking radical.
Left/Enclosing Radical: 辶 (Shinnyō - To Walk/Move)
Stroke 7: Dot on the top (点).
Stroke 8: A curved stroke that goes down and to the left.
Stroke 9: The final stroke is a long, smooth curve that sweeps under the right component (捺).
Key Stroke Order Rules Applied:
Right to Left (for Enclosing Radicals): For kanji with the 辶 radical, you always write the internal component first (甬), and then the enclosing walking radical.
Top to Bottom: This rule governs the order within the 甬 component.
3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)
The history of 通 is a great example of a 形声文字 (keisei moji) or phonetic-ideographic compound.
Let's break down its components:
Semantic Component (Meaning): 辶 (Shinnyō)
This radical means "to walk," "to move," or "a path." It immediately tells us that the character's meaning is related to movement and passage.
Phonetic Component (Sound): 甬 (Yō)
This component provided the ancient Chinese pronunciation. However, 甬 itself is interesting. Its original form is thought to depict a "bell" or a "vessel" with a narrow neck. The key idea is a "hollow passage" or a "channel" through which something (like sound) can travel unimpeded.
The Combined Meaning and Evolution:
The character 通 was created to mean:
"To move (辶) freely through a channel or passage (甬)."
This core idea of "unobstructed movement through a passageway" is the key that unlocks all its modern meanings:
Physical Passage: A road that is "open" allows traffic to pass through (通行 tsūkō).
Regular Movement: Commuting (通う kayou) is the act of moving back and forth along a passage regularly.
Penetration: Something that goes all the way through (通る tōru).
Understanding: When knowledge or meaning "passes through" your mind without obstruction, you "understand" it. This is why 通じる (tsūjiru) can mean "to get through" or "to be understood."
Expertise: A person who is "well-versed" or a "connoisseur" (通 tsū) is someone through whom knowledge of a subject flows freely.
4. Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences showing the different uses of 通.
As "To Pass Through" (とおる):
Romaji: Kono michi wa kuruma ga tōru.
English: Cars pass along this road.
この道は車が通る。
As "To Commute" (かよう):
Romaji: Densha de gakkō ni kayotte iru.
English: I commute to school by train.
電車で学校に通っている。
As "Interpreter" (つう):
Romaji: Kaigi de tsūyaku ga hitsuyō da.
English: We need an interpreter for the meeting.
会議で通訳が必要だ。
As "To Be Understood":
Romaji: Watashi no ito ga tsūjinakatta.
English: My intention wasn't understood (didn't get through).
私の意図が通じなかった。
Summary
Meaning: To pass through, to commute, to be open, to understand, a way.
Writing: 10 strokes. Write the internal right component 甬 first, then the enclosing left radical 辶.
Origin: A phonetic-ideographic compound. It combines 辶 (to move) with 甬 (a channel/passage), creating the core idea of "moving freely through a passageway." This concept of unobstructed flow explains all its modern meanings, from physical traffic and commuting to the flow of understanding and expertise.