讀書 / 读书
dúshū
The English phrase "reading" can be translated into Chinese as 讀書 / 读书 (dúshū) or 閱讀 / 阅读.
Meaning: process of interpreting written language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 讀書 / 读书 | dúshū |
| 閱讀 / 阅读 | yuèdú |
The term 閱讀 / 阅读 is used to refer to the cognitive process of reading text or to discuss technical skills such as "reading ability" (閱讀能力). In contrast, 讀書 / 读书 is often used to mean "studying" or "attending school".
What does it mean word for word?
The term 讀書 / 读书 literally means "to read books" or "to study".
Which one should you use?
While 讀書 / 读书 often implies the act of studying or being a student, 閱讀 / 阅读 refers more specifically to the cognitive process of reading text.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for 讀書 / 读书 is dúshū.
Did you know?
- While 讀書 means 'studying' today, in imperial China it specifically referred to the rigorous process of memorizing Confucian classics to pass the civil service examinations.
- The phrase 讀書人 translates to 'reading person' but is used as a title of respect for an intellectual or a scholar, regardless of their formal degree.
- The character 讀 in 讀書 originally depicted a person speaking and a sound, reflecting a time when 'reading' meant reciting a text aloud for others to hear.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢读书I enjoy reading.
- 提高阅读能力Improve reading ability
- 他正在研读一本经典著作He is currently studying a classic masterpiece.
- 我正在研读一本关于中国历史的书籍。I am currently studying a book about Chinese history.
- 我最近在看一本小说I'm currently reading a novel.
- 我刚买了一本小说，准备开始看书。I just bought a novel and am ready to start reading.
- 他每天都读报He reads the newspaper every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reading” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
