To Get Through To
To Get Across, To Lead To
intransitive verb, ichidan verb
Well, well, look at this — another verb for the pass through kanji! You've already learned 通る (to pass through) and 通う (to visit regularly), but this one adds another nuance. It means to get through to, with an emphasis on going from point A to point B via a particular route.
通じる is used for lots of different things involving people and places being linked, or things being conveyed from one point to another. Whether it's a road leading to a certain city, a phone call reaching its recipient, or words or feelings getting across to someone, the emphasis is all on connection and transmission.
Like other verbs that end in じる, this actually uses the on'yomi of the kanji, not kun'yomi! You learned that reading with the kanji, so you should be good to go here.
言葉が通じる
words are understood, speech is understood (in a language)
話が通じる
one's point gets across, one's words get through to someone
意味が通じる
the meaning gets across
思いが通じる
one's thoughts or feelings get across, one's thoughts or feelings get through to someone
この言い方でも意味は通じるけど、ちょっと不自然かな。
The meaning will still get across with this phrasing, but it sounds a bit unnatural.
彼とは、インターネットを通じて知り合いました。
I met him through the internet.
言葉は通じなくても、心が通じることはあります。
Even when words can't be understood, hearts can still connect.
あの人、全然話が通じないんですよ。エイリアンと話してるみたいな感覚になります。
Nothing I say gets through to that person; it feels like I'm talking to an alien.
この地下通路は駅に通じています。
This underground passage leads to the station.