Skip to content
JLPT N3Expressions

を通じて／を通して— By Way Of / Throughout

Has two related meanings: (1) 'through / by way of' a medium, means, or intermediary, and (2) 'throughout' an entire span of time or space. を通じて and を通して are largely interchangeable, though を通して slightly emphasizes active use of the means and を通じて is a touch more formal.

Grammar path · 練習

Practice this in the path

A short lesson: the pattern, its sentence anatomy, a quick quiz and a sentence to build.

Pro lessonUNIT 103 · EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

[Noun] + を通じて ／ [Noun] + を通して

Examples · 例文

  • 友人を通じて彼女と知り合った。

    Yuujin o tsuujite kanojo to shiriatta.

    I got to know her through a friend.

    友人 (friend) + を通じて marks the intermediary of the introduction.

  • この地方は一年を通して雨が多い。

    Kono chihou wa ichinen o tooshite ame ga ooi.

    This region has a lot of rain throughout the year.

    一年 (a year) + を通して expresses the entire time span.

  • インターネットを通じて世界中の情報が手に入る。

    Intaanetto o tsuujite sekaijuu no jouhou ga te ni hairu.

    You can obtain information from all over the world via the internet.

    インターネット + を通じて marks the means of access.

Usage notes · 注意

  • Meaning 1: a medium/intermediary; Meaning 2: 'throughout' a whole period (一年を通して, 一生を通じて).
  • を通して slightly stresses actively going through the means; を通じて is a bit more formal.
  • Register: neutral to formal, common in writing.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones を通じて／を通して is tested against.

vsによって

によって marks the direct means/agent of an action, while を通じて/を通して implies passing through an intermediary or spanning a whole period.

vsにわたって

にわたって stresses the extent/range something covers, whereas を通して as 'throughout' emphasizes continuity across the entire span.

More expressions

Study Japanese grammar on LenGaki

Everything on this page, ready to study

  • 7,788 JLPT vocabulary words, N5 through N1, with readings and audio (N5 free)
  • 2,057 kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi and stroke-order practice
  • 445 grammar points with examples and commonly-confused comparisons
  • Full-length N5 and N4 mock exams, timed, with real listening audio (N5 sets 1 and 2 free)