通 (tòng): classifier for a complete bout…

Meanings

1 classifier for a complete bout of activity (a tirade of scolding, a stint of drumming, a session of arguing)

Characters

通

tòng

classifier for a complete bout of activity (a tirade of s…

Examples

他被骂了一通。

Tā bèi mà le yī tòng.

He was scolded thoroughly (literally: 'scolded one whole round').

她大哭了一通。

Tā dàkū le yī tòng.

She broke down crying for a long stretch.

我被他揍了一通。

Wǒ bèi tā zòu le yī tòng.

I was beaten up badly by him.

Tips

usage

The tòng reading is bound to the 一通 pattern (or 几通, a few rounds). It marks ONE complete spell of a noisy or vigorous action — typically scolding, crying, beating, drumming, or arguing. Use it where English says 'a round of', 'a fit of', 'a good X-ing'.

mistakes

Don't confuse the classifier 通 with the verb reading 通 (to go through). In 大哭一通 ('cried a whole bout'), 通 is the fourth-tone classifier, not the first-tone verb. A reliable cue: if the structure is verb + 一 + 通, it's tòng.

Components

radical

辶 chuò

walk; movement

Walking radical, the wrap-around form of 辵. Semantic anchor: a complete 'going through' of an activity from start to finish — fitting for a classifier covering one whole bout.

phonetic

甬 yǒng

passageway; bell handle

Same component as in the tōng reading, supplying the sound. The tone shift to tòng marks the specialized classifier sense; the phonetic body is unchanged.