通す・徹す・透す|とおすtoosu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
通す通す is the most common and standard spelling; use it in ordinary writing and whenever you need to write this word.
徹す徹す is a rarely used spelling variant. Learners will usually want to write 通す instead, but may encounter 徹す in some texts.
透す透す is a rarely used spelling variant. Learners will usually want to write 通す instead, but may encounter 透す in some texts.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto let pass; to allow through; to let through; to make way (for)
- godan verb, transitive verbto transmit (e.g. light, sound, etc.); to conduct (electricity); to let permeate (e.g. water through a fabric); to permit through; to let through (e.g. air); to run through (e.g. a pipe); to penetrate; to let in
- godan verb, transitive verbto stick through (e.g. a hole); to force through (e.g. an opening); to thread (e.g. a needle); to put through
- godan verb, transitive verbto connect (e.g. two places); to open (a route, path, etc.); to link (e.g. by a road); to establish (a connection between); to join; to extend up to (somewhere)
- godan verb, transitive verbto pass (a student, applicant, etc.); to admit (e.g. a student); to let through; to let in
- godan verb, transitive verbto lead (someone) into (a house, room, etc.); to show in; to guide in; to admit (someone)
- godan verb, transitive verbto present logically; to make (e.g. one's argument) convincing; to be consistent (in one's reasoning); to stick to (e.g. one's principles)
- godan verb, transitive verbto go through (e.g. a middleman); to put as an intermediary; to mediate via (somebody); to do via (something)as 通して...する
- godan verb, transitive verbto pass (a law); to put through (e.g. a motion); to make way (for)
- godan verb, transitive verbto listen through (a door, wall, etc.); to look through (e.g. a window)also written 透す
- godan verb, transitive verb, foodto heat thorougly (of food); to cook properly; to warm well; to heat evenlyas 火（熱）を～
- godan verb, transitive verb, foodto dip into (e.g. a sauce); to pass through (e.g. a broth); to put through (e.g. boiling water)
- godan verb, transitive verbto make (someone) approve (e.g. a plan); to force agreement; to push through (a proposal, idea, will, etc.); to have one's way彼はやりたいことを通す人だ。↗He is a man who will do what he wants.
- godan verb, transitive verbto continue (in a state); to persist in (doing); to keep doing; to remain (in a state)also as で～
- godan verb, transitive verbto do through the lens of; to view from the angle of; to do from the perspective ofusu. as 通して...する
- godan verb, transitive verbto do to the entirety of; to cover all of; to span the whole
- godan verb, transitive verbto do from beginning to end without a break; to finish in one session; to do all at once; to do in one goas 通して...する
- godan verb, transitive verbto relay (a message, an order, etc.); to convey (an intention, meaning, etc.); to send through; to pass on (e.g. information); to make heard (e.g. one's voice)
- suffix, godan verbto do ... to the end; to do ... continuously; to carry through ...; to complete ...after the -masu stem of a verb
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 通す（とおす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 通します（とおします） |
| Negative (nai) | 通さない（とおさない） |
| polite (masen) | 通しません（とおしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 通さず・通さぬ（とおさず・とおさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 通した（とおした） |
| polite (mashita) | 通しました（とおしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 通さなかった（とおさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 通しませんでした（とおしませんでした） |
| Te form | 通して（とおして） |
| Potential | 通せる（とおせる） |
| Passive | 通される（とおされる） |
| Causative | 通させる（とおさせる） |
| Causative passive | 通させられる（とおさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 通せば（とおせば） |
| tara | 通したら（とおしたら） |
| Volitional | 通そう（とおそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 通しましょう（とおしましょう） |
| Imperative | 通せ（とおせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
車が橋を通る
車を橋に通す
通る (intransitive) describes something moving through a space, with the mover marked by が and the path by を. 通す (transitive) describes causing something to pass through, with the moved thing marked by を and the destination or route marked by に.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Antonym塞ぐふさぐNeutralTo block or obstruct (「道を塞ぐ」); it is the opposite of 「通す」 on letting something through versus stopping it up.
- Antonym通らないNeutralThe negative form of 「通る」: something cannot pass or does not get through, as in 「法案が通らない」. 「通す」 is making someone or something pass through.
Use 「通す」 for letting something pass or through, and for getting someone through an exam or selection; use 「塞ぐ」 for blocking or stopping something up.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
