Chinese word

疏通

Pronunciation

Pinyinshū tōng

Meaning

  • verbsmooth out

Example

经理正在疏通部门之间的关系。jīng lǐ zhèng zài shū tōng bù mén zhī jiān de guān xì

The manager is smoothing out relations between departments.

Illustration for 疏通 (smooth out)

More examples

我们要通过座谈会疏通员工的思想。wǒ men yào tōng guò zuò tán huì shū tōng yuán gōng de sī xiǎng

We need to use discussion meetings to align employees' thinking.

Core concept

Opening a blocked line between people so messages pass clearly and cooperation can move forward.

Common phrases

  • 疏通关系shū tōng guān xì

    smooth out relations

  • 疏通思想shū tōng sī xiǎng

    align ideas

  • 疏通渠道shū tōng qú dào

    clear channels

Similar words

沟通gōu tōng: Communicate thoughts, information, or feelings to understand one another better.
协调xié tiáo: Coordinate people's opinions or actions so a shared effort proceeds smoothly.
交流jiāo liú: Share opinions, experiences, or feelings through mutual interaction.
联系lián xì: Contact others regularly to form or maintain a relationship.

Definition in Chinese

解除人际之间的隔阂或误会，使双方的交流和合作变得顺畅。jiě chú rén jì zhī jiān de gé hé huò wù huì shǐ shuāng fāng de jiāo liú hé hé zuò biàn de shùn chàng

Word origin

疏 (shū, "clear away") + 通 (tōng, "make pass") joins the ideas of removing an obstruction and opening a route, giving 疏通 (shūtōng, "smooth out") its sense of restoring contact between people.

Usage tips

  • A conversation can exchange information without repairing the connection between the people involved, so this verb points to restored cooperation rather than merely to speech.

Other meanings

  • communicateverb
  • clearverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word