---
title: "Tongyong Meaning: 通用 (tōngyòng) Means “universal”"
description: "通用 (tōngyòng) means “universal; general; to be in general use”. Hear its tones, see what 通 and 用 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/tongyong"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 通用 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

通用 tōngyòng

## universal; general; to be in general use

## It can also mean

- interchangeable (of characters)
- General Motors

## Its characters

1. 通 tōng common
2. 用 yòng to use

## In a sentence

在商朝，贝朋为通用货币。 Seashells were the legal tender in the Shang dynasty.

[More about 通用](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E9%80%9A%E7%94%A8)

## More words with 通 or 用

- [备用 bèiyòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/beiyong)
- [不用 bùyòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/buyong)
- [采用 cǎiyòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/caiyong)
- [畅通 chàngtōng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/changtong)
- [常用 chángyòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/changyong)
- [费用 fèiyong](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/feiyong)
- [服用 fúyòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/fuyong)
- [副作用 fùzuòyòng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/fuzuoyong)
- [沟通 gōutōng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/goutong)
- [交通 jiāotōng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jiaotong)

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[All 214 Chinese radicals](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-radicals)

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