통해 (tong-hae, tonghae) · 통해서 (tong-hae-seo, tonghaeseo)
'통해' and '통해서' both mean 'through' or 'via,' but differ in formality and sentence placement preferences.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A postposition indicating a route or means, mainly used in written or formal contexts.
When to use
formal documents, news articles, academic writing, mid-sentence placement
The nuance
Typically placed mid-sentence or at the beginning, preferred in formal or written contexts.
Colloquial form of '통해,' used naturally in spoken Korean.
When to use
everyday conversation, friendly tone, sentence-final position, connective usage
The nuance
Used mainly in spoken language at sentence end or as a connective, giving a friendly and natural tone.
이 보고서는 데이터를 통해 분석되었습니다.
i bo-go-seo-neun de-i-teo-reul tong-hae bun-seok-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., i bo go seo neun de i teo reul tong hae bun seok doe eoss seup ni da.
'통해' is appropriate in formal documents and naturally placed mid-sentence.
이 보고서는 데이터를 통해서 분석되었습니다.
i bo-go-seo-neun de-i-teo-reul tong-hae-seo bun-seok-doe-eoss-seup-ni-da., i bo go seo neun de i teo reul tong hae seo bun seok doe eoss seup ni da.
'통해서' sounds colloquial and is inappropriate in formal documents; use '통해' instead.
우리는 인터넷을 통해 정보를 얻는다.
u-ri-neun in-teo-nes-eul tong-hae jeong-bo-reul eot-neun-da., u ri neun in teo nes eul tong hae jeong bo reul eot neun da.
'통해' placed mid-sentence is natural and acceptable in both formal and informal contexts.
우리는 인터넷을 통해서 정보를 얻는다.
u-ri-neun in-teo-nes-eul tong-hae-seo jeong-bo-reul eot-neun-da., u ri neun in teo nes eul tong hae seo jeong bo reul eot neun da.
'통해서' is also natural mid-sentence in spoken Korean.
그는 친구를 통해서 연락했다.
geu-neun chin-gu-reul tong-hae-seo yeon-rak-haess-da., geu neun chin gu reul tong hae seo yeon rak haess da.
'통해서' at sentence end sounds natural in spoken language.
그는 친구를 통해 연락했다.
geu-neun chin-gu-reul tong-hae yeon-rak-haess-da., geu neun chin gu reul tong hae yeon rak haess da.
'통해' mid-sentence is appropriate and neutral.
그는 친구를 통해서 연락했다요.
geu-neun chin-gu-reul tong-hae-seo yeon-rak-haess-da-yo., geu neun chin gu reul tong hae seo yeon rak haess da yo.
'통해서' followed by '-요' is awkward because it functions as a connective, not a sentence ender.
인터넷을 통해서 정보를 얻는 게 편리하다.
in-teo-nes-eul tong-hae-seo jeong-bo-reul eot-neun ge pyeon-ri-ha-da., in teo nes eul tong hae seo jeong bo reul eot neun ge pyeon ri ha da.
'통해서' mid-sentence is natural in colloquial speech.
Which is most suitable for a formal document?
Which is natural in everyday conversation?
Most appropriate for mid-sentence use?
