One of the trickier points of Chinese grammar is how to use 通过 (tōngguò) and 经过 (jīngguò) correctly. Though they have very similar meanings, they have somewhat different uses

通过 as a Verb

Structure 1

The first way that 通过 is used as a verb is that it means going through a certain object, as in penetrating into and coming out of something. In this case, it is similar to the word 穿过.

Examples

Cónɡ wǒ jiā zǒu dào zhè lǐ xū yào tōnɡ ɡuò liǎnɡ zuò qiáo.
从 我 家 走 到 这里 需要 通过 两 座 桥。
To get here from my house, I have to cross two bridges.

Structure 2

The second way that 通过 is used as a verb is that it means that something goes through effort in order to reach acknowledgement or agreement. This is similar to how we say a bill "pass through" the legislature, or how you can "meet someone through a friend".

Examples

Wǒ tōnɡ ɡuò le zhè cì kǎo shì 。
我 通过 了 这 次 考试。
I went through this test.

通过 as a Preposition

As a preposition, 通过 expresses using a certain method to achieve a desired outcome. It emphasizes the manner or method of doing something, and it can be placed before and after the subject.

Structure

Examples

Wǒ men tōnɡ ɡuò tā de pénɡ you cái zhǎo dào le tā 。
我们 通过 他 的 朋友 才 找 到 了 他。
We found him via his friends.

经过 as Verb
Structure 1

The first way that 经过 is used as a verb is that it means "to pass by" or "to pass through". It is like saying "I went through downtown" or "I passed by the cemetery".

Examples

Měi tiān wǒ dōu jīnɡ ɡuò zhè ɡè xiǎo shānɡ diàn 。
每天 我 都 经过 这 个 小 商店。
I go past this little store every day.

Structure 2

The second way that 经过 is used as a verb is that it means "to experience something" or "going through a time". It emphasizes the process of that experience. When expressing "to experience something", it often has a negative connotation, like 教训, 考验, 锻炼, 战争, 比赛. If it is talking about "going through a time", it is usually talking about the past.

Examples

Jīnɡ ɡuò yī ɡè yuè de péi xùn , wǒ men de xīn yuán ɡōnɡ yǐ jīnɡ zhǔn bèi hǎo le。
经过 一 个 月 的 培训,我们 的 新 员工 已经 准备 好 了。
After going through a month of training, our staff has prepared well.

经过 as Noun

As a noun, 经过 refers to the process of something.

Structure

Examples

Qǐnɡ nǐ ɡēn wǒ men shuō yí xià dānɡ shí de jīnɡ ɡuò.
请 你 跟 我们 说 一下 当时 的 经过。
Please tell us a little about that process.