読む
yomu[jo̞mɯ̟]
To read in Japanese is 読む (yomu).
The verb 読む means to look at and interpret letters or other information. While 読む is a versatile and general way to express reading, speakers may informally use みる (miru), which typically means to see or to watch, when referring to reading visually oriented content like manga.
Meaning: to look at and interpret letters or other information (verb)
Which one should you use?
In formal contexts or written materials, you may encounter どくしょする (dokusho suru), which means to engage in reading.
How do you pronounce it?
yomu
Did you know?
- The verb 読む is used for tasks like 'reading' a room's atmosphere or 'reading' someone's mind, known as 空気を読む (kūki o yomu).
- In Japanese, you 読む (read) a clock or a gauge to determine the time or a measurement.
- The kanji for 'read', 読, contains the radical for 'speech' or 'words' on the left side, visually signaling its connection to language and communication.
Examples in context
- そんな本読むな。Don't read that kind of book.This sentence is useful for practicing a negative command with 読む.Tatoeba #204028 by small_snow, translation #1450714 by CK
- 君が読む番だよ。It's your turn to read.This sentence shows how to use 読む when discussing turns.Tatoeba #8733003 by small_snow, translation #1654667 by CM
- 本を読む暇がない。I have no time to read books.This sentence demonstrates using 読む to express a lack of time for an activity.Tatoeba #164500 by small_snow, translation #250008 by CK
- 学校の本を読むつもりだ。I plan to read the school book.
- 最近小説を読んでいないな。I haven't been reading novels lately.
- 昨日、新聞をお読みになりましたか。Did you read the newspaper yesterday? (respectful)
- 詩集の一篇を熟読する必要があります。There is a need to thoroughly read one poem from the poetry collection. (formal)
- 145 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are at a cafe studying together.
- 結衣 Yuiこの新聞、読む？Kono shinbun, yomu?Will you read this newspaper?
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。何を読めばいい？Ii yo. Nani o yomeba ii?Sure. What should I read?
- 結衣 Yuiスポーツの欄を読んでみて。Supōtsu no ran o yonde mite.Try reading the sports section.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、これ面白いね。Yui, kore omoshiroi ne.Yui, this is interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “read” translations and entries 読む, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
