本を読みます
hon o yomimasu
The English phrase 'I read a book' is expressed in Japanese as 本を読みます (hon o yomimasu).
This phrase is used to describe either a general habit, such as reading every night or a future intention to read a book.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hon (book), the particle o (the object marker) and yomimasu (to read in the polite form).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are speaking with friends or family, you can use the informal dictionary form 本を読む. For a very informal tone when reporting a completed action, you might use 本を読んだよ, where the particle yo adds a friendly feeling. Another casual way to express the idea is 読書したんだ, which uses the particle nda to add an explanatory tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the polite non-past form yomimasu is used to cover both habitual actions (I read) and future intentions (I will read).
How do you pronounce it?
hon o yomimasu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the subject 'I' is often omitted entirely. If the context makes it clear who is reading, saying 本を読みます without adding わたし (I) is the most natural way to speak.
- The verb 読む (yomu) is used for things other than text. You can use it to 'read' the atmosphere of a room or 'read' someone's mind, similar to the English expression 'read the room'.
- The polite form 読みます is often preferred even when speaking to people you know, as Japanese social hierarchy dictates politeness more strictly than English often does in casual settings.
Examples in context
- 毎晩寝る前に本を読みます。I read a book every night before bed.This sentence shows how to use 本を読みます to describe a nightly habit.Tatoeba #11056551 by KK_kaku_, translation #12007561 by Winter
- 最近、ノンフィクションの本を読んだよ。I recently read a non-fiction book.
- 週末は家で本を読みます。Shuumatsu wa ie de hon o yomimasu.I read a book at home on weekends.
- 新しい本を読みます。Atarashii hon o yomimasu.I will read a new book.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are talking about their weekend plans.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは週末に何をしますか。Ren-san wa shūmatsu ni nani o shimasu ka.What will you do this weekend, Ren?
- 蓮 Ren家でゆっくり本を読みます。Ie de yukkuri hon o yomimasu.I'm going to relax and read a book at home.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。どんな本ですか。Ii desu ne. Donna hon desu ka.That sounds nice. What kind of book?
- 蓮 Ren新しい小説を読みます。Atarashii shōsetsu o yomimasu.I'm going to read a new novel.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
