tōngtiān

通天

Word · Adjective

reach heaven; extraordinary; well-connected

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 6 examples
1.

adjective

reaching up to heaven; (fig.) extremely high, great, or heinous

Originally describes physical height reaching the sky; extended to describe immense scale, extraordinary ability, or heinous crimes. Often used in literary or formal contexts.

Nà那
zuò座
gǔ古
tǎ塔
gāo高
sǒng耸
rù入
yún云
 ,
jiǎn简
zhí直
shì是
tōng通
tiān天
chè彻
dì地
 。

That ancient pagoda towers into the clouds, truly reaching heaven and earth.

Zhè这
jiā家
huo伙
zuì罪
è恶
tōng通
tiān天
 ,
zǎo早
gāi该
shòu受
dào到
fǎ法
lǜ律
zhì制
cái裁
le了
 。

This guy's crimes reach to heaven; he should have been punished by the law long ago.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
zhēn真
yǒu有
tōng通
tiān天
de的
běn本
shì事
 ,
shén什
me么
nán难
tí题
dōu都
néng能
jiě解
jué决
 。

He truly has heaven-reaching abilities; he can solve any difficult problem.

2.

adjective

having direct access to the highest leadership; well-connected

informal

Describes individuals who have backdoor access to top-level officials or powerful networks. Often used in political, business, or journalistic contexts with a slightly informal or colloquial tone.

Tā他
shì是
ge个
tōng通
tiān天
rén人
wù物
 ,
shén什
me么
shì事
dōu都
néng能
tōng通
guò过
guān关
xi系
bàn办
chéng成
 。

He is a well-connected figure who can get anything done through his relationships.

Tīng听
shuō说
nǐ你
yǒu有
tōng通
tiān天
de的
guān关
xi系
 ,
néng能
bu不
néng能
bāng帮
wǒ我
shuō说
jù句
huà话
 ?

I heard you have connections to the top; could you put in a word for me?

Show 1 more example
Zài在
zhè这
ge个
quān圈
zi子
lǐ里
 ,
méi没
yǒu有
tōng通
tiān天
de的
rén人
mài脉
hěn很
nán难
shēng生
cún存
 。

In this circle, it's hard to survive without well-connected networks.