读书
dú shū
To read books in Chinese is 读书 (dú shū).
The phrase is used to describe the activity of reading written works for pleasure or for information. While it can refer to general reading, it often carries a connotation of reading from an educational or scholarly perspective.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 读 (dú), meaning 'to read' and 书 (shū), meaning 'book' or 'books'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 读书 often implies studying or formal reading. In contrast, 看书 (kàn shū) is more commonly used for the casual act of reading for pleasure or simply looking at a book.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the phrase 睇書 is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
读书 is a verb-object construction, meaning the object 'books' is inherently part of the verb phrase and does not require a separate object to be grammatically complete.
How do you pronounce it?
dú shū
Did you know?
- While 读书 means 'read books', it is the standard way to say 'attend school' or 'get an education' in Chinese regardless of whether any books are actually being read.
- The character 书 used in 读书 originally depicted a brush and a hand, reflecting the fact that reading and writing were historically inseparable activities.
- A person who reads too many books without practical experience is sometimes mocked in Chinese culture as a 书呆子, which translates to 'book worm' or 'book idiot'.
Examples in context
- 读书很重要。It's important to read books.This sentence shows the importance of the phrase 读书.Tatoeba #1733405 by sadhen, translation #1439744 by CK
- 她通宵读书。She read books all night.This sentence describes someone performing the action of 读书 all night.Tatoeba #8511414 by gumblex, translation #3946308 by Joseph
- 他每天晚上都在阅读书籍。He reads books every night.
- 她喜欢读书，因为她觉得知识很重要。She enjoys reading books because she believes knowledge is important.
- 我喜欢周末的时候在家看书。I enjoy reading books at home during the weekends.
- 星期天我打算读本书。I plan to read a book on Sunday.
- 他喜欢在咖啡馆读书。Tā xǐhuān zài kāfēiguǎn dúshū.He likes to read books in a cafe.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their weekend hobbies at a park.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你周末喜欢做什么？Nǐ zhōumò xǐhuān zuò shénme?What do you like to do on weekends?
- 俊杰 Junjie我喜欢在家里读书。Wǒ xǐhuān zài jiālǐ dúshū.I like to read books at home.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也很喜欢读书。Wǒ yě hěn xǐhuān dúshū.I really like reading books too.
- 俊杰 Junjie那我们一起读书吧。Nà wǒmen yīqǐ dúshū ba.Then let's read books together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
