通过……来……
Reach for 通过……来…… when you want to name the method, channel, or mechanism behind an action — 'by means of X, do Y'. 通过 introduces the tool or process; 来 introduces the goal that tool serves. Common in policy talk, business writing, and explanatory speech where you want to make the 'how' explicit and intentional.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 通过 [MEANS] 来 [GOAL-VERB]
tōngguò... lái...
How to Think About It
通过 literally means 'pass through' — picture the means as a conduit the action flows through to reach the goal. 来 then signals 'in order to' or 'so as to' — it points to the purpose of going through that conduit. Drop the 来 and the connection between method and goal weakens; drop 通过 and you've lost the 'by means of' framing entirely.
Examples
德国的想法是“通过贸易来改变”。
Déguó de xiǎngfǎ shì “tōngguò màoyì lái gǎibiàn”.
Germany's idea is 'change through trade.'
我们通过每天练习来提高听力。
Wǒmen tōngguò měi tiān liànxí lái tígāo tīnglì.
We improve our listening through daily practice.
政府通过减税来鼓励企业投资。
Zhèngfǔ tōngguò jiǎnshuì lái gǔlì qǐyè tóuzī.
The government encourages business investment through tax cuts.
Common Mistake
Learners use 用 (yòng, 'use') in place of 通过, which works when the means is a concrete tool but feels off when the means is an abstract process, policy, or channel. Say 用筷子吃饭 (eat with chopsticks), but 通过谈判来解决问题 (solve the problem through negotiation).
我们用谈判来解决问题。
我们通过谈判来解决问题。
Don't Confuse With
用……来……
Concrete-tool version. 用筷子来吃饭 is fine; 通过……来…… is for processes, methods, channels, and abstractions.
为了……，……
为了 introduces the goal up front and leaves the method to context. 通过……来…… does the reverse — leads with the method, names the goal at the end. Both can describe the same situation from different angles.
以……的方式
More formal way to name a method ('by way of', 'in the manner of'). 以谈判的方式 = 'through negotiation', similar to 通过谈判 but slightly stiffer. 以……的方式 typically doesn't take 来 after it.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 我们___努力学习来实现目标。
Show answer
通过
Fill in the blank: 公司通过技术创新___提高效率。
Show answer
来
Arrange: 提高 / 我们 / 阅读 / 通过 / 来 / 中文水平 (We improve our Chinese through reading.)
Show answer
我们通过阅读来提高中文水平。
Translate to Chinese: He makes friends through volunteering.
Show answer
他通过做志愿者来交朋友。
Use 通过……来…… to describe how you achieve a goal in your life.
Show answer
我通过每天晚上听十分钟中文播客来慢慢提高我的听力。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode. Press play to hear the sentence:
以前，德国的想法是“通过贸易来改变”。
Previously, Germany's idea was "change through trade".
Friedrich Merz Lands in Beijing — Germany's New Chancellor Faces China Trade ImbalanceIntermediate
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 通过……来…… in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start.