贯通
guàn tōng · HSK 7
to link up
🧵 贯 = string coins on a thread + 通 = pass through; threading things into one connected line
贯 originally showed strings of coins tied together, so it carries the sense of stringing or threading. Paired with 通 (to go through, connect), 贯通 is to thread separate things into one connected whole.
通 — 辵 (辶) walk + 甬 yǒng (phonetic)
通 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 辶 (chuò) component means 'walk' or 'movement', giving the meaning of going through or passing. 甬 (yǒng), originally depicting a hanging bell or a path, supplies the sound. Together they convey 'to pass through, communicate, connect'.