筋(すじ)が通(とお)る

すじがとおる

expression

to make sense; to be logical; to be consistent

cognition

1. to make sense; to be logical; to be consistent; to be coherent

For an argument, explanation, or course of action to follow a clear, logical thread from beginning to end.

その説明(せつめい)は筋(すじ)が通(とお)っている。

That explanation makes sense.

筋(すじ)の通(とお)った意見(いけん)を述(の)べてください。

Please state a coherent opinion.

彼(かれ)の主張(しゅちょう)は最初(さいしょ)から最後(さいご)まで筋(すじ)が通(とお)っていて、反論(はんろん)のしようがなかった。

His argument was consistent from start to finish, and there was no way to refute it.

筋(すじ)が通(とお)る uses 筋(すじ) in the sense of "logic" or "reasoning" (like a thread running through something) and 通(とお)る (to pass through). The image is of a logical thread running cleanly through an argument.

The negative form 筋(すじ)が通(とお)らない means "to not make sense" or "to be illogical."

Common patterns

筋(すじ)が通(とお)っている (makes sense — ている form is most common)
筋(すじ)の通(とお)った〜 (a logical/coherent... — used as a modifier)
筋(すじ)が通(とお)らない (doesn't make sense)

Related words

筋(すじ)を通(とお)す: to follow proper procedure, to do things the right way — the transitive counterpart
道理(どうり)にかなう: to be reasonable — more formal with similar meaning

Related Words

Compare: 辻褄(つじつま) (consistency)

general

Added 2026.3.12 11:37 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31

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