1.
to let through, to pass
To allow something to pass through.
光を通す。
To let light through.
水を通さない素材。
A material that doesn't let water through.
針に糸を通す。
To thread a needle.
穴に紐を通す。
To thread a string through a hole.
この布は風を通すので、夏でも涼しい。
This fabric lets the breeze through, so it stays cool even in summer.
2.
to persist in, to carry through
To continue doing something to the end.
意見を通す。
To get one's opinion accepted.
読み通す。
To read through to the end.
自分の考えを通す。
To push through one's ideas.
最後までやり通す。
To see it through to the end.
筋を通す。
To be consistent / stand firm.
我を通す。
To have one's way.
3.
to show in
To lead a guest inside.
お客さんを部屋に通す。
To show a guest to a room.
お客様をお通しください。
Please show the customer in.
応接室に通す。
To show to the reception room.
こちらにお通しします。
I'll show you this way.
奥の部屋に通された。
I was shown to the back room.
通す is a versatile transitive verb with three main meanings: letting something pass through, persisting to completion, and showing someone in.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pair: 通る (intransitive, to pass through)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 光を通す: to let light through
- 針に糸を通す: to thread a needle
- 意見を通す: to get one's opinion accepted
- 筋を通す: to be consistent
- お客さんを通す: to show a guest in
AS SUFFIX (-通す):
Attaches to verb stems to mean 'do through to completion':
- 読み通す: to read through entirely
- やり通す: to see through to the end