通
traffic · pass through · avenue · commute · counter for letters, notes, documents, etc.
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
surround from lower-left: walk + 甬
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of advance and phonetic. Passing through a road.
Symbolism
Passage, traffic, notice. Represents movement and transmission.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一方通行
いっぽうつうこう
one-way traffic; one-way (e.g. communication); one-sided; one-way traffic
四通八達
しつうはったつ
traffic network extending in all directions; traffic network extending in all directions
最後通牒
さいごつうちょう
ultimatum; ultimatum
音信不通
おんしんふつう
break in contact; not hearing from; having no communication with; break in contact
融通無碍
ゆうずうむげ
free, unfettered and flexible; versatile; adaptable; free, unfettered and flexible
一文不通
いちもんふつう
total illiteracy; total illiteracy
Proverbs & Idioms
通らぬ道は道ならず
とおらぬみちはみちならず
An untraveled road is no road
A path unused loses its purpose
Poetry
住の江の 岸による波 よるさへや 夢の通ひ路 人めよくらむ
Poem #18 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 通 mean in Japanese?
通 means traffic, pass through, avenue, commute, counter for letters, notes, documents, etc..
How do you read 通?
On'yomi: ツウ、ツ (TSUU, TSU). Kun'yomi: とお.る、とお.り、-とお.り、-どお.り、とお.す、とお.し、-どお.し、かよ.う (tooru, toori, toori, doori, toosu, tooshi, dooshi, kayou).
How many strokes does 通 have?
通 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 辶 (walk).
Is 通 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 通 (traffic, pass through, avenue, commute, counter for letters, notes, documents, etc.) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
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