1To move from one point to another by way of a road or place; to pass along, through, or via a route.
いつもこの道を通って会社に行きます。
I always take this road to get to work.
トラックが狭い路地を通ろうとして苦労していた。
A truck was struggling to get through the narrow alley.
この電車は東京駅を通りますか。
Does this train pass through Tokyo Station?
山を越えるより、トンネルを通る方が早い。
Going through the tunnel is faster than crossing the mountain.
2For a train, bus, or other transit line to run or operate between two points; to connect places.
この路線は駅前と空港の間を通っている。
This route runs between the station front and the airport.
終電後は、この区間にバスは通らない。
After the last train, no buses run on this section.
3To be led or shown into a room or building; to be admitted inside.
受付を済ませると、面接室に通された。
After checking in at reception, I was shown into the interview room.
お客様を応接間に通してください。
Please show the guest into the reception room.
4For something to pierce or pass through a hole, gap, or interior of an object.
針が布を通って反対側に出た。
The needle went through the cloth and came out the other side.
弾が壁を通って隣の部屋まで届いた。
The bullet penetrated the wall and reached the next room.
5For a smell, liquid, or influence to spread through and permeate a space or material.
カレーの匂いが家中に通っている。
The smell of curry has spread throughout the house.
冷たい水が布に通って、手が冷えた。
Cold water soaked through the cloth and my hands got cold.
6For a voice to carry well and be clearly heard even from a distance.
彼の声はよく通るので、マイクなしでも聞こえる。
His voice carries well, so it can be heard even without a microphone.
静かな体育館では、小さな声でも通る。
In a quiet gymnasium, even a small voice carries.
7For an order, message, or instruction to be relayed to the relevant department or person and acted upon.
注文が厨房に通ると、すぐに調理が始まった。
Once the order was relayed to the kitchen, cooking began right away.
その要望はようやく上層部に通った。
That request was finally conveyed to upper management.
8To pass an exam or a bill in parliament; to be officially approved or accepted after review.
彼女は司法試験に一発で通った。
She passed the bar exam on her first attempt.
新しい法案が国会で通った。
The new bill passed in the Diet.
この企画書は上司の決裁が通らなかった。
This proposal did not get approval from my boss.
9To be known by a certain name or reputation; often used as "~で通る" (to go by/be known as ~).
彼はこの業界では実力者として通っている。
He is known as a powerful figure in this industry.
その俳優は本名ではなく芸名で通っている。
That actor goes by his stage name rather than his real name.
10For an argument, explanation, or line of reasoning to be coherent and make logical sense.
彼の説明は筋が通っていて分かりやすかった。
His explanation was logical and easy to follow.
その理屈は一応通るが、現実にはうまくいかないだろう。
That reasoning does make sense in theory, but it probably won't work in practice.
11For one's meaning or intention to be conveyed to and understood by another person.
何度説明しても、彼にはなかなか話が通らない。
No matter how many times I explain it, he just doesn't seem to understand.
通訳のおかげで、意図がきちんと通った。
Thanks to the interpreter, my intention got across properly.
12To give an impression, based on appearance or manner, that makes one seem like something one may not actually be.
スーツを着ると、学生でも社会人で通ることがある。
When wearing a suit, even a student can pass for a working professional.
13For the grain of wood or a similar material to be straight and even.
良い木材は木目がまっすぐに通っている。
Good-quality wood has straight, even grain.
14Archaic: to be well-versed in and knowledgeable about worldly matters.
彼は世事によく通った人物であったと古書に記されている。
Old texts describe him as a person well-versed in worldly affairs.
15A suffix attached to the -masu stem of a verb, adding the meaning "to do ~ all the way through" or "thoroughly." In modern Japanese, the equivalent form -通す is used far more often.