Meaning and Usage
"通過" (つうか) primarily means "passing through" or "passing by" a place or stage. It can be used literally, such as a train passing through a station without stopping, or figuratively, such as passing an exam or a law passing through a legislative body.
Common Contexts
- Transportation: describing vehicles passing through stations or checkpoints.
- Exams and qualifications: passing or clearing a test or screening.
- Legal and administrative processes: laws or proposals passing through committees or parliaments.
Collocations and Patterns
- 通過する (つうかする): to pass through or to pass (an exam, law, etc.)
- 駅を通過する: to pass through a station (without stopping)
- 試験に通過する: to pass an exam
- 国会を通過する: to pass through the parliament
Nuances and Tips
"通過" often implies moving through something without stopping or being held up. For example, a train that "通過する" a station does not stop there. When used for exams or laws, it means successfully passing or being approved. Be careful not to confuse "通過" with "合格" (ごうかく), which also means "to pass" but is more commonly used for exams and qualifications in everyday conversation. "通過" has a slightly more formal or technical nuance.
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"通過" is neutral to formal and often appears in written or formal spoken Japanese, such as news reports, official announcements, or academic contexts.