读
dú
In Chinese, the phrase 'to read' is expressed as 读 (dú).
读 means to look at and understand written words. A common phrase is 读书 (dú shū), which can mean 'to read books' or, in a more general sense, 'to study' or 'to attend school'. You may also encounter the phrase 读书愉快, which means 'Happy reading'.
Which one should you use?
While 读 focuses specifically on the act of reading text, the word 看 (to look or to see) is often used in a more casual sense to mean 'to read', such as in the phrase 看书 (kàn shū – to read a book).
How do you pronounce it?
dú
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 读 historically implies reading aloud. To read silently, one might use 看 or specifically mention that they are reading in their heart.
- The traditional character 讀 contains the component 賣, which means 'to sell'. This suggests an ancient link between the scholarly class and the professional transmission of knowledge.
- In ancient China, the act of 读 was a rhythmic, oral performance used to memorize Confucian classics, making reading a social and auditory event.
Examples in context
- 我没书可读。I have no books to read.This sentence shows how to use 读 to indicate having no books to read.Tatoeba #1490533 by sadhen, translation #1498981 by weihaiping
- 读书很重要。It's important to read books.This sentence demonstrates the use of 读 in the context of the importance of reading books.Tatoeba #1733405 by sadhen, translation #1439744 by CK
- 我喜欢阅读。I like to read.This sentence shows how to express a liking for reading using 读.Tatoeba #2163112 by sadhen, translation #2164515 by CM
- 我喜欢读书。I enjoy reading books.
- 她对阅读感兴趣。She is interested in reading.
- 今天晚上我想在家看书。I want to read a book at home tonight.
- 我在看报纸。I am reading a newspaper.
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a library, a student asks her friend to help with a text.
- 梓涵 Zihan你能帮我读一下这段吗？Nǐ néng bāng wǒ dú yīxià zhè duàn ma?Can you help me read this passage?
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，我来读。Méi wèntí, wǒ lái dú.No problem, I'll read it.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢你，俊杰。Xièxiè nǐ, Jùnjié.Thank you, Junjie.
- 俊杰 Junjie不客气，梓涵。Bù kèqì, Zǐhán.You're welcome, Zihan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 读, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
