Yuka通る vs 通過する — both involve passing through something, but they're used in different contexts. Let's compare these two words and get them sorted out!
ReiThis is a really practical comparison — you'll use both words in daily life, from talking about passing exams to describing traffic. Let's dig in.
At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 通る | とおる | To pass through, to go through, to pass (exam) | General, everyday — movement through space or successful passing |
| 通過する | つうかする | To pass through, to transit, to get past | More formal; emphasis on the act of passing/transiting a point |
通る (とおる) — To Pass Through / To Pass
通る is a versatile, everyday verb covering a wide range of “passing” meanings:
- Physical passage: この道を通る — to go through this road
- Passing an exam: 試験に通る — to pass an exam
- Being accepted: 企画が通る — a proposal gets accepted
- A voice/sound carrying: 声が通る — a voice that carries well
Yukaその道を通ると公園がある。
If you go along that road, there's a park.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| この橋を通って向こう岸へ行こう。 | Let's cross over to the other side via this bridge. |
| 面接に通った！ | I passed the interview! |
| この提案、会議で通るかな。 | I wonder if this proposal will get approved at the meeting. |
| 彼女は声がよく通る。 | Her voice carries well. |
通過する (つうかする) — To Transit / To Pass Through
通過する is more formal and emphasizes the act of transiting or passing through a specific point — especially when something passes without stopping, or when a threshold is crossed.
- Train passing a station without stopping: 急行は○○駅を通過します — The express passes through ○○ station (without stopping)
- A typhoon passing: 台風が通過した — the typhoon passed through
- Qualifying round: 予選を通過する — to pass/advance through the qualifying round
ReiA key use: 「この電車は○○駅を通過します」— The train will pass through ○○ station without stopping. This is a standard station/train announcement. You'll hear this on the Shinkansen and express trains constantly.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 次の駅は通過します。 | We will pass through the next station (without stopping). |
| 台風が関東地方を通過した。 | The typhoon passed through the Kanto region. |
| 書類選考を通過した。 | I passed the document screening. |
| 予選を通過してベスト8に入った。 | I advanced through the qualifying round to the top 8. |
Key Differences
| 通る | 通過する | |
|---|---|---|
| Register | Everyday, versatile | Formal/technical |
| Non-stop transit? | Not implied | Often implies passing without stopping |
| Exam/approval use? | Common: 試験に通る | Formal: 書類選考を通過する |
| Abstract uses? | Many: 声が通る、提案が通る | More limited |
| Train announcements? | Less common | Standard: ○○駅を通過します |
Quick Quiz
Choose 通る or 通過する:
- 急行電車は各駅停車の駅を___する。→ 通過 (non-stop transit)
- この道を___と駅に出る。→ 通る (everyday passage)
- 一次選考を___しました。→ 通過 (formal screening)
- 試験に___た！→ 通っ (passed the exam)
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