Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 2
through a means
「〜を通して・〜を通じて」 follows a noun for a means that leads to learning or understanding.
Look at the arrows: when learning about the town, what roles do the materials and conversation play? Both are bridges to information.
Add 「を通して／を通じて」 after a noun to express doing or achieving something through a person, thing, or means.
The materials provide historical information. Here, they are the medium for gaining knowledge, and the town’s history is what is learned.
After talking with a local resident, the learner understands life in the town. Conversation is the means, and understanding that life is the result.
To learn more about the background of a historical site, you can use a guide’s explanation. The explanation is the medium that leads to understanding.
When expressing a medium or means, the two forms have essentially the same meaning. Both can follow 「資料」 and 「会話」 in the picture.
Here, “through” means obtaining information by means of a medium, rather than physically passing through a place or object.
Through the materials at the tourist information center, I was able to learn about the history of the town.
A: I'd like to know more about the history of these ruins.
B: In that case, you can deeply understand the background of those days through the local guide's explanations.
A: I see. Let's sign up for a guided tour, then.
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Through the materials at the tourist information center, I was able to learn about the town's history.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
観光案内所の資料____、町の歴史を知ることができました。
Through the tourist information center's materials, I was able to learn about the town's history.
Through conversations with local people, I was able to understand life in this town.
