What does it mean word for word?
これ (kore) means "this," referring to something near the speaker. The particle を (o) is the object marker that identifies the text being read as the direct object. The verb form 読んで (yonde) is the te-form of the verb, which functions here as a request or command.
Which one should you use?
While これを読んで is a standard request, adding ください to the end results in the polite version これを読んでください. For even more professional or official settings, the formal phrase この文書をお読みください is used. In very casual speech, you might hear the contracted version これ読んどいて.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form これを読んで is an informal request suitable for friends, family or people of lower social status. For strangers or superiors, use the polite form これを読んでください. In professional or official situations, use the formal この文書をお読みください. There is also a very informal way to say "read this" by dropping the particle, written as これ読んで.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the te-form of a verb, such as 読んで, can function as a soft command or a request.
How do you pronounce it?
kore o yonde
Did you know?
- The verb 読む (yomu) is used not only for reading text but also for interpreting the 'air' or social atmosphere in a room, known as 空気を読む (kūki o yomu).
- The casual contraction これ読んどいて (kore yondoite) actually comes from the verb おく (oku), meaning 'to do something in advance'.
- In very casual settings, the phrase これ読んで is often accompanied by a small nod or a gesture of pushing the object toward the listener to soften the command.
Examples in context
- これを読んで。Read this.This example shows a simple command to read the text.Tatoeba #7421991 by Ninja, translation #1098659 by cntrational
- 今すぐこれを読んで。Read this now.This example shows how to add the word "now" to the request.Tatoeba #3496874 by arnab, translation #1841179 by CK
- カダザン語を学びたいなら、必ずこれを読んでください。Make sure you read this if you want to learn the Kadazan language.This example uses the phrase in the context of a recommendation for learning a language.Tatoeba #10139203 by LeeSooHa, translation #10139194 by LeeSooHa
- 先生、これを読んでください。Teacher, please read this.
- お客様、この文書をお読みください。Valued customer, please read this document.
- よかったら、これ読んでみて。If you'd like, read this.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student is asking a classmate to check a text.
- 陽太 Yotaこれを読んで。Kore o yonde.Read this.
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。何て書いてあるの？Ii yo. Nan te kaite aru no?Sure. What does it say?
- 陽太 Yota明日のテストについてだよ。Ashita no tesuto ni tsuite da yo.It's about tomorrow's test.
- 美咲 Misakiわかった、読んでみるね。Wakatta, yonde miru ne.Got it, I'll read it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
