What does ～を経て mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

States a process or intermediate stage passed through before reaching the current result. Written style.

• 「Nを経て」 = after going through N. N is a process, period of time, or intermediate place: 交渉 (negotiation), 審査 (screening), 段階 (stage), 年月 (years).
• The following clause is a completed result: 「長い交渉を経て、両社は合意した」 (after lengthy negotiations, the two companies reached an agreement).
• Different from 「を通じて」 (through a means, or throughout a period): 「を経て」 emphasizes the SEQUENCE of passing through before reaching the destination.

Examples

• 長(なが)い交渉(こうしょう)を経(へ)て、両社(りょうしゃ)は合意(ごうい)した。

  After lengthy negotiations, the two companies reached an agreement.

• この製品(せいひん)は多(おお)くの試験(しけん)を経(へ)て完成(かんせい)した。

  This product was completed after many tests.

Keep in mind

• The particle is 「を」: 「交渉を経て」, not 「交渉に経て」.
• The clause that follows is usually in the た form (a completed matter).

Common mistakes

• Wrong交渉(こうしょう)に経(へ)て合意(ごうい)した。

  Correct交渉(こうしょう)を経(へ)て合意(ごうい)した。

  The process gone through uses を, not に: を経て.

Exam tips

• 「を経て」 = going through N before reaching the result; uses 「を」, the following clause is completed.

Related patterns

• ～を通じて
• ～の末に
• ～てから