What does "a través de" mean?

The phrase "a través de" means "through," "across," or "via." It describes physical passage through a space (like a tunnel) or the medium used to achieve a result (like an API or a friend).

15 High-Frequency Examples

1.
Recibimos los datos a través de una API.
We receive the data through an API. (presente de indicativo)
2.
Ellos se comunicaban a través de cartas.
They used to communicate through letters. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
Crucé el país a través de las montañas.
I crossed the country through the mountains. (pretérito)
4.
Verás el eclipse a través de estos lentes.
You will see the eclipse through these glasses. (futuro)
5.
Yo enviaría el paquete a través de esa empresa.
I would send the package via that company. (potencial simple)
6.
Espero que nos contacten a través de la web.
I hope they contact us through the website. (presente de subjuntivo)
7.
El guía quería que pasáramos a través del túnel.
The guide wanted us to pass through the tunnel. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
¿Has mirado el mundo a través de sus ojos?
Have you looked at the world through their eyes? (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Ya habían difundido la noticia a través de la radio.
They had already spread the news via the radio. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron entrado a través de la grieta, se cerró.
As soon as they had entered through the crack, it closed. (pretérito anterior)
11.
Para entonces, habremos aprendido mucho a través de la práctica.
By then, we will have learned a lot through practice. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría conseguido el empleo a través de un contacto, pero no llamó.
I would have gotten the job through a contact, but he didn't call. (potencial compuesto)
13.
No es probable que hayan filtrado el agua a través de esa tela.
It's not likely they have filtered the water through that cloth. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubieras mirado a través de la ventana, lo habrías visto.
If you had looked through the window, you would have seen it. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
¡Observa la naturaleza a través del silencio!
Observe nature through silence! (imperativo)