독서
dokseo[to̞ks͈ʌ̹]
The English word reading can be translated into Korean as 독서 (dokseo) or 읽기.
Meaning: process of interpreting written language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 독서 | dokseo | [to̞ks͈ʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 읽기 | ilgi |
The term 독서 is used when discussing reading in the context of education, culture or as a formal hobby.
What does it mean word for word?
독서 is a Sino-Korean compound where 독 means 'to read' and 서 means 'book'.
Which one should you use?
독서 is used to refer to the activity of reading books as a hobby or a scholarly pursuit. In contrast, 읽기 refers to the mechanical or functional act of reading text or the ability to read.
How do you pronounce it?
dokseo
Did you know?
- In digital contexts, 'reading' a text message might be expressed using the term 읽씹, a slang term for when someone reads a message but ignores the sender.
- The term 독서실 refers to a 'reading room', but it is actually a very common type of quiet study cafe where students pay for dedicated time to study.
- If you are reading a poem or a script with great emotion, Koreans might use the word 읊다 instead of the standard 읽다.
Examples in context
- 독서는 더 이상 소수의 전유물이 아니게 되었다.Reading books ceased to be the privilege of a minority.This sentence is useful for showing that reading books is no longer just for a minority.Tatoeba #6295632 by okja, translation #6169148 by sundown
- 독서를 좋아합니다.I like reading.This sentence is useful for expressing that you like reading.Tatoeba #4952537 by rainbow4us, translation #1276130 by CK
- 나는 독서를 즐긴다.I enjoy reading.This sentence is useful for expressing that you enjoy reading.Tatoeba #11106790 by intertime, translation #2795472 by CK
- 독서는 지식과 경험의 보물상자를 열어줍니다.Reading opens the treasure chest of knowledge and experience.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking about their hobbies.
- 수빈 Su-bin취미가 뭐예요?chwimiga mwoyeyo?What is your hobby?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저는 주로 독서를 해요.jeoneun juro dokseoreul haeyo.I mainly do some reading.
- 수빈 Su-bin어떤 책을 읽으세요?eotteon chaegul ilgeuseyo?What kind of books do you read?
- 지훈 Ji-hun소설책 읽는 것을 좋아해요.soseolchaek ilgneun geoseul joahaeyo.I like reading novel books.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reading” translations and entries 독서, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
