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
N2
直通
chokutsuu
direct connection
N2
通ずる
tsuuzuru
to lead, to run, to open
N2
通路
tsuuro
passage, pathway
N2
通り掛かる
toorikakaru
to happen to pass by
N2
日用品
nichiyouhin
daily necessities
N2
一通り
hitotoori
general, briefly
N2
人通り
hitodoori
pedestrian traffic
N2
用語
yougo
term, terminology
N2
用途
youto
use, usefulness