Word
通用
Meaning in Englishpopular use, circulation
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
通用 means that a term, rule, or practice is broadly used and accepted across different people or contexts. It describes something that works, applies, or is respected widely, not limited to a particular group or situation.
Main meanings
- General use and broad applicability — tsūyō
- Generally accepted or understood in ordinary discourse — tsūyō
- Widely recognized in official or technical contexts — tsūyō
How to use it
Used in formal, neutral, and written contexts to indicate broad applicability or acceptance; commonly appears in dictionaries, policy texts, academic writing, and media commentary. Phrases include 現在通用している, 一般に通用する, この用語は通用する。
Variants and close terms
- 普及する — fukyū suru — to become widely used
- 一般に受け入れられる — ippan ni ukeire rareru — to be generally accepted
- 通用しない — tsūyō shinai — not in use / not accepted
Composition
- 通 - through; to pass; common usage
- 用 - use, purpose, function
Etymology
tsūyō is the on'yomi reading of 通用, borrowed from Chinese tongyòng; its phonetic path follows standard on'yomi adaptation rules, pairing the characters with their common readings to form a typical compound pronunciation.
Word class
Noun (suru-verb)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
兼用
kenyou
multi-use, combined use
N1
公用
kouyou
government business, public use, public expense
N1
採用
saiyou
use, adopt
N1
作用
sayou
operation, effect, function
N1
似通う
nikayou
to resemble closely
N1
運用
unyou
making use of, application, practical use
N1
使用人
shiyounin
employee, servant
N1
専用
senyou
exclusive use, personal use
N1
代用
daiyou
substitution