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What is the Kanji for "Commute" and "Pass"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Commute" and "Pass", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Commute" and "Pass" is "通".

This kanji has 3 readings:

Its kunyomi readings are "Too" and "Kayo".

Its onyomi reading is "Tsuu".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The radical "辶" means "Walk" . And The radical "甬" means "Path" .

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "通" mean in japanese?

"通" means "Commute" and "Pass" .

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N4 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

通り: "Street". The Japanese noun '通り (とおり)' means 'street'. It refers to a paved or designated public path for pedestrians and vehicles to travel along in a city or town. '通り' is commonly used in the names of specific streets, such as 'Ginza Dori' or 'Aoyama Dori'. For example: I live on a busy street - (私は賑やかな通りに住んでいます). The shopping district is located on this street - (ショッピング地区はこの通りにあります).
交通事故: "Traffic accident". The Japanese noun '交通事故 (こうつうじこ)' refers to a traffic accident, which is an unintended collision or impact between vehicles, or between a vehicle and a pedestrian or object, that occurs on a public road. This type of accident can result in injury, property damage, or even fatalities. For example: He was injured in a traffic accident - (彼は交通事故で怪我をした). The traffic accident caused a long delay - (交通事故で長い渋滞が発生した).
交通費: "Travel expenses". The Japanese noun '交通費 (こうつうひ)' refers to the expenses incurred by a person when traveling, such as the cost of transportation, fares, or fees. This word is commonly used in business contexts when reimbursing employees for work-related travel. For example: I submitted my travel expenses for the business trip - (出張の交通費を請求しました). The company covers our travel expenses - (会社が交通費を負担してくれます).
通ずる: "Connect". The verb '通ずる (つうずる)' means 'to connect'. This verb is used to indicate that two or more things, concepts, or ideas are linked or related in some way. It can suggest a deep understanding or intimate relationship between those elements. For example: The two philosophies are connected - (その二つの哲学は通ずる). The alley connects the main street - (その路地は主要な通りとつうずる).
通学: "School commute". The Japanese verbal noun '通学 (つうがく)' means 'school commute'. It refers to the act of traveling to and from school on a regular basis. This word is commonly used to describe a student's daily journey to and from their educational institution. For example: I commute to school every day - (私は毎日学校に通学する). She has a long commute to university - (彼女は大学まで通学が長い).
通す: "Pass (through)". The Japanese verb '通す (とおす)' means 'to pass (through)'. This verb is used to indicate that something or someone is passing through a particular space or location. It can be used in various contexts, such as passing through a gate, a door, or a tunnel. For example: I passed through the gate - (私はその門を通った). Please pass the salt through - (塩を私に通してください).
通過: "Pass". The Japanese verbal noun '通過 (つうか)' means 'to pass'. It describes the act of moving through or across something, such as a road, border, or designated area. This word can be used in various contexts, such as passing an exam, passing a checkpoint, or passing through a door. For example: I passed through the gate - (私は門を通過しました). This road passes through the mountains - (この道は山を通過します).
通る: "Pass" or "Cross". The Japanese verb '通る (とおる)' has multiple meanings. The primary meaning is 'to pass' or 'to go through', as in: I will pass through the gate - (私はそのゲートを通ります). It can also mean 'to cross', as in: I will cross the street - (私は道路を通ります). This verb is commonly used to describe movement through a space or across a boundary.
普通: "Normal". The adjectival noun '普通 (ふつう)' means 'normal'. It is used to describe something that is typical, average, or ordinary. It can be used to describe people, objects, situations, and more. For example: This is a normal day - (これは普通の一日です). She has a normal job - (彼女は普通の仕事をしています).
通常: "Usual" or "Normal". The Japanese noun '通常 (つうじょう)' means 'usual' or 'normal'. It is used to describe something that is standard, average, or customary. The word can be used to refer to the typical or regular state or condition of something. For example: This is the usual way to do it - (これが通常の方法です). That is the normal working hours - (あれが通常の勤務時間です).
通勤: "Commute". The Japanese verbal noun '通勤 (つうきん)' means 'commute'. It refers to the regular journey between one's home and place of work. This term is commonly used to describe the act of traveling to and from the workplace, often by public transportation such as trains or buses. For example: My commute to work takes 30 minutes - (私の通勤は30分かかります). She has a long commute every day - (彼女は毎日長い通勤をしています).
通う: "Attend". The Japanese verb '通う (かよう)' means 'to attend'. This verb is used to indicate that someone regularly goes to a place, such as a school, workplace, or other regular destination. The verb implies a sense of habit or routine. For example: I attend school every day - (私は毎日学校に通う). She attends the gym twice a week - (彼女は週に2回ジムに通っている).
交通: "Traffic". The verbal noun '交通 (こうつう)' means 'traffic'. This noun refers to the movement and flow of vehicles, people, or goods through a particular area or along a route. It can be used to describe general traffic conditions, such as heavy traffic or congestion, as well as specific modes of transportation, such as automobile traffic or pedestrian traffic. For example: There was heavy traffic on the highway - (高速道路は交通が激しかった). Bicycle traffic was light today - (今日は自転車の交通が少なかった).
大通り: "Avenue". The Japanese noun '大通り (おおどおり)' means 'avenue'. It refers to a wide, major street or thoroughfare in a city. Large avenues are often lined with businesses, shops, and other commercial establishments. For example: Let's meet at the cafe on the main avenue - (大通りのカフェで待ち合わせましょう). I live on a quiet avenue far from the city center - (私は市中心部から離れた静かな大通りに住んでいます).
共通: "Common". The verbal noun '共通 (きょうつう)' means 'common'. This word is used to describe something that is shared or experienced by multiple people or things. It can refer to shared characteristics, interests, or experiences. For example: We have a common interest in art - (私たちは芸術に共通の関心がある). This problem is common to all students - (この問題は全ての学生に共通している).
共通語: "Common language". The Japanese noun '共通語 (きょうつうご)' refers to a 'common language' that is widely understood and used across a country or region. It is a standardized form of a language that is taught in schools and used in official contexts. This common language helps facilitate communication and mutual understanding between people from different linguistic backgrounds within a country. For example: Japanese is the common language in Japan - (日本では共通語は日本語です). All citizens must learn the common language - (すべての市民は共通語を学ばなければなりません).
透き通る: "Be transparent". The Japanese verb '透き通る (すきとおる)' means 'to be transparent'. This verb describes something that allows light to pass through it so that objects behind it can be clearly seen. It is often used to describe materials like glass, water or certain fabrics. For example: The glass window is transparent - (ガラスの窓は透き通っている). The water in the lake is transparent - (湖の水は透き通っている).
通貨: "Currency". The Japanese noun '通貨 (つうか)' means 'currency'. This refers to the official medium of exchange used in a country or region, such as yen or dollars. Currency is the money that circulates and is used for trade and purchases. For example: Japanese yen is the currency in Japan - (日本の通貨は円です). This currency is widely used throughout the country - (この通貨は日本全国で広く使われています).
通用: "Common use". The Japanese noun '通用 (つうよう)' means 'common use' or 'general acceptance'. It refers to something that is widely accepted, recognized or applicable. This word is often used to describe things that are commonly or widely used, valid or accepted, such as a form of payment, a language, or a set of rules. For example: This credit card is for common use - (この クレジットカードは 通用するです). This greeting is in common use - (この あいさつは 通用しているです).
見通し: "Prospect" or "Outlook". The noun '見通し (みとおし)' can mean 'prospect' or 'outlook'. It refers to a perspective, expectation or prediction about the future. It can be used to describe the anticipated conditions, possibilities or potential developments in various contexts like business, politics, personal life etc. For example: The company has a positive outlook for next year - (会社は来年への良い見通しを持っています). The political outlook is uncertain at the moment - (政治情勢の見通しは現時点では不透明です).
通じる: "Connect" or "Understand". The Japanese verb '通じる (つうじる)' has two main meanings. The first is 'to connect' or 'to link', as in two things or people coming together. For example: His message didn't connect with the audience - (彼のメッセージは視聴者につながらなかった). The second meaning is 'to understand' or 'to be understood', as in two people being able to communicate effectively. For example: I don't think he understands what I'm trying to say - (彼が私の言わんとしていることがわからないと思う).
通行: "Passage". The Japanese noun '通行 (つうこう)' means 'passage'. It refers to the act of traveling through or along a particular route or path. This word can be used to describe the movement of people, vehicles, or goods along a road, street, or other thoroughfare. For example: The busy street has heavy foot traffic - (この混雑した通りは歩行者の通行が多い). The train station has a steady flow of passenger traffic - (この駅には常に多くの乗客の通行がある).
人通り: "Foot traffic". The Japanese noun '人通り (ひとどおり)' refers to the flow or movement of people through a particular area or space. It is commonly used to describe the volume or level of pedestrian traffic in a location, such as a busy downtown street or a crowded shopping district. For example: There was a lot of foot traffic on the main street today - (今日は人通りが多かった主要な通りでした). The store is located in an area with high foot traffic - (その店は人通りの多い場所にあります).
一通り: "Thoroughly". The adverb '一通り (ひととおり)' means 'thoroughly' or 'completely'. It indicates that something has been done in a comprehensive or exhaustive way, covering all aspects or details of a particular task or situation. For example: I read through the document thoroughly - (書類を一通り読みました). We'll need to check the inventory thoroughly - (在庫を一通り確認する必要があります).
通行止め: "Road closure". The Japanese noun '通行止め (つうこうどめ)' refers to a road closure or blockage that prevents vehicle or pedestrian traffic from passing through. This term is commonly used to indicate a temporary or permanent closure of a road, often due to construction, an accident, or other events that make the road inaccessible. For example: The road was closed due to construction - (工事のため、通行止めになっていた). There is a road closure ahead - (先に通行止めがあります).
: "Passage" or "Communication". The Japanese noun '通 (つう)' can have two main meanings: 'passage' and 'communication'. As 'passage', it refers to a way, route, or channel that allows for movement or access through something. For example: This is a busy passage - (この通りは大変混雑している). As 'communication', it indicates the act of conveying information, ideas, or messages between people or groups. For example: Open communication is important - (良い通が大切だ)
通知: "Notice". The verbal noun '通知 (つうち)' means 'notice'. It refers to an official or formal announcement, such as a notification or alert. '通知' is commonly used in contexts like receiving a notice from a company or a government agency. For example: I received a notice about my upcoming appointment - (予約の通知が来た). The teacher gave the students a notice about the upcoming field trip - (先生が遠足の通知を生徒たちにくれた).
通り過ぎる: "Pass by" or "Go past". The Japanese verb '通り過ぎる (とおりすぎる)' means 'to pass by' or 'to go past'. It is used to describe the action of something moving and passing a specific location or point. It can be used for both physical movement as well as abstract concepts. For example: The train passed by the station - (電車は駅を通り過ぎた). Time passed by quickly - (時間が通り過ぎるのが早かった).
直通: "Direct". The verbal noun '直通 (ちょくつう)' means 'direct'. It refers to something that goes directly from one place to another without stopping or taking a detour. This word is often used to describe transportation connections, such as a direct train route. For example: There is a direct bus to the airport - (空港へ直通のバスがあります). I took the direct train to get there quickly - (早く行くために直通の電車に乗りました).
通信: "Communication". The verbal noun '通信 (つうしん)' means 'communication'. This noun refers to the act of exchanging information or messages between people or organizations, often through various forms of technology such as telephones, the internet, or postal services. It can describe both the process of communicating as well as the means by which communication occurs. For example: Communication by email is convenient - (メールによる通信は便利だ). I need to improve my communication skills - (私のコミュニケーション能力を改善する必要がある).
通路: "Passage". The Japanese noun '通路 (つうろ)' means 'passage'. This word refers to a path, corridor, or other open space that allows people or things to move through an area. It can be used to describe walkways, aisles, or other spaces within a building or other enclosed structure. For example: I walked down the narrow passage - (狭い通路を歩いた). The passage to the kitchen is blocked - (キッチンへの通路が塞がれている).
流通: "Distribution". The Japanese verbal noun '流通 (りゅうつう)' means 'distribution'. This term refers to the process by which goods or services are made available to consumers, including transportation, storage, and marketing. It is an important concept in business and economics. For example: The distribution network of the company is extensive - (会社の流通網は広範囲). Distribution costs are a major part of the total expenses - (流通コストは総経費の大部分を占める).
通訳: "Interpret". The verbal noun '通訳 (つうやく)' means 'to interpret'. This refers to the act of translating spoken language from one language to another in real-time, facilitating communication between people who do not share a common language. Interpreters play a crucial role in various settings such as business meetings, conferences, court proceedings, and medical appointments. Example sentences: I work as an interpreter - (私は通訳者として働いている). The interpreter translated the speech into English - (通訳者がその演説を英語に通訳した).
通帳: "Passbook". The Japanese noun '通帳 (つうちょう)' refers to a small booklet used to record financial transactions, such as deposits and withdrawals, in a bank account. It is an important document that provides a detailed history of one's account activity. The '通帳' is commonly used in Japan and some other Asian countries. For example: I need to update my passbook - (通帳を更新する必要がある). My passbook shows the latest transactions - (通帳に最新の取引記録が記載されている).
通り掛かる: "Pass by". The Japanese verb '通り掛かる (とおりかかる)' means 'to pass by'. This verb is used to describe the act of accidentally encountering or coming across someone or something while passing through a location. It implies a fleeting or brief encounter. For example: I happened to pass by the park - (私は偶然公園を通り掛かった). As I was passing by, I saw my friend - (私は通り掛かっているときに友達を見かけた).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "と" is read as "to". The hiragana "お" is read as "o". The hiragana "つ" is read as "tsu". The hiragana "う" is read as "u". The hiragana "か" is read as "ka". And The hiragana "よ" is read as "yo".