What does 〜o tsūjite・〜o tōshite mean and how do you use it?

Master the subtle difference between 「〜を通じて」 and 「〜を通して」 to add depth to your Japanese. This lesson explains the meaning, connection rules, example sentences and common mistakes.

Does this JLPT N2 grammar lesson include practice questions?

Yes. It includes JLPT-style practice questions with detailed English explanations, so you can self-study for JLPT N2 for free.

“〜o tsūjite・〜o tōshite”: Through / Throughout [JLPT N2]

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026

Master the subtle difference between 「〜を通じて」 and 「〜を通して」 to add depth to your Japanese.

“〜o tsūjite・〜o tōshite”: Through / Throughout

「(noun) ＋を通じて/を通して」 has two main uses, and the two are nearly identical in meaning (often interchangeable): ① “through 〜, via 〜” (with someone/something as a medium, means): 「友人を通じて情報を得た」 (I got the info through a friend), 「インターネットを通して学ぶ」 (learn through the internet); ② “throughout 〜, over the entire period/range of 〜” (covering a whole span of time/space): 「一年を通じて温暖だ」 (warm all year round), 「生涯を通して研究を続けた」 (continued research throughout his life). ⚠️ Subtle difference: を通じて leans ‘medium/result' and written; を通して leans ‘emphasizing the process', but in practice often interchangeable. ⚠️ Connection: noun ＋を通じて/を通して.

🧠 Core nuance: through some medium, or covering an entire period

The core is with someone/something as a medium (through), or covering an entire time/range: ① medium, means ‘through, via' — achieved by means of someone/something (友人を通じて知り合った = met through a friend, メディアを通して伝える = convey through the media, 経験を通して学ぶ = learn through experience); ② entire period/range ‘throughout 〜' — covering a whole span of time or space (一年を通じて = all year, 生涯を通して = throughout one's life, 全国を通じて = nationwide). ⚠️ Subtle difference: 「を通じて」 leans toward ‘medium, result,' more written, objective (友人を通じて, 会議を通じて); 「を通して」 leans toward ‘emphasizing the process, firsthand experience' (経験を通して, 努力を通して). But the two are nearly identical in meaning and often interchangeable in practice. ⚠️ Contrast with 「によって」: を通じて/を通して = through (a medium); によって = due to, based on (cause, means, basis), によって being broader. ⚠️ Connection: noun ＋を通じて/を通して. An N2 pattern for medium and period.

📌 How to Connect

Use	Form	Example
through (medium)	noun ＋を通じて/を通して	友人を通じて
entire period	period ＋を通じて/を通して	一年を通じて
(contrast) によって	due to/based on	会議によって

💬 Example Sentences

彼は大学のプログラムを通じて、海外に留学した。(He studied abroad through a university program.) — medium
彼女は友人を通して、その情報を得た。(She got that information through a friend.) — medium (を通して)
この地域は一年を通じて、温暖な気候だ。(This region has a warm climate all year round.) — entire period
彼は生涯を通して、研究を続けた。(He continued research throughout his life.) — entire period
さまざまな経験を通して、多くのことを学んだ。(I learned a lot through various experiences.) — experience (を通して)

🔄 Compare: を通じて vs を通して vs によって vs で

Expression	Nuance	Example
〜を通じて	through (medium, leans result, written)/entire period	友人を通じて
〜を通して	through (medium, leans process, firsthand)/entire period	経験を通して
〜によって	due to/based on (cause, means, basis)	努力によって
〜で	by 〜 (means, simpler)	電車で行く

⚠️ Common Mistakes

を通じて ≒ を通して: the two are nearly identical in meaning, often interchangeable; subtle difference (を通じて leans result/written, を通して leans process).
Two main uses: through (medium: 友人を通じて), entire period (一年を通じて), by context.
Distinguish from によって: を通じて = through a medium; によって = due to/based on (cause, basis, broader).
Connect to a noun: noun ＋を通じて/を通して.

💡 Nuance & When to Use

「を通じて・を通して」 have two main uses: through ‘with someone/something as a medium' (友人を通じて, 経験を通して), entire period ‘covering a whole span' (一年を通じて, 生涯を通して). The two are nearly identical in meaning, often interchangeable; subtle difference: を通じて leans medium/result, written; を通して leans emphasizing the process, firsthand. ⚠️ Distinguish from the ‘due to/based on' によって. An N2 pattern for medium and period. A must.