よむ
yomudictionary form, casual
In hiragana, "read" is よむ (yomu). The polite form is よみます (yomimasu).
Meaning: to read (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| よむ | yomu | dictionary form, casual |
| よみます | yomimasu | polite |
You can use it for books, newspapers and also for reading aloud: こえに だして よむ (koe ni dashite yomu).
What does it mean word for word?
よむ is 読む in kanji. The stem changes: よんで (yonde) is the te form and よんだ (yonda) is the past.
How does it change in a sentence?
The thing you read takes を (o): ほんを よむ (hon o yomu). The negative is よまない (yomanai), and the polite negative is よみません (yomimasen).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners often say よみて (yomite). The correct te form is よんで (yonde) because of a sound change in the stem.
Did you know?
- The same character 読 is used in the word どくしょ (dokusho), "reading books", and in the verb よむ (yomu).
Examples in context
- まいにち ほんを よみます。Mainichi hon o yomimasu.I read a book every day.
- この ほんを よんだ？Kono hon o yonda?Did you read this book?
- しんぶんを よんでください。Shinbun o yonde kudasai.Please read the newspaper.
Example conversation
Mao and her brother Shun are in the living room at night.
- Maoなにを よんでるの？Nani o yonderu no?What are you reading?
- Shunまんがだよ。おもしろいよ。Manga da yo. Omoshiroi yo.It is manga. It is fun.
- Maoあとで かして。Atode kashite.Lend it to me later.
