Recognize 読 in everyday Japanese. Start with its meaning, to read, then learn to read it in whole words such as 読む and 読書.

The idea

Kanji may have Japanese-origin and Chinese-origin readings; learn each with its word. Compare 読む（よむ） and 読書（どくしょ）. 読 has 14 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
読むよむto read
読書どくしょreading books
読みますよみますread (polite)

Examples

  • 長ながい手紙てがみをゆっくり読よみます。I read the long letter slowly.
  • 先生せんせいは午後ごごに本ほんを読よみます。The teacher reads a book in the afternoon.
  • 読書どくしょがとても好すきです。I like reading books very much.
  • 学生がくせいは本ほんを読よみます。The student reads a book.
  • 電車でんしゃで新聞しんぶんを読よみます。I read the newspaper on the train.
  • 弟おとうとに絵本えほんを読よみます。I read a picture book to my younger brother.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

読む changes to 読んで in the て-form; 読書 begins with どく. Compare the shape of 読 with 売 so you do not confuse them.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 読む in hiragana.

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    よむ

    読む is read よむ; it means to read. Learn the reading as part of this word.

  2. Write the reading of 読書 in hiragana.

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    どくしょ

    読書 is read どくしょ; it means reading books. Learn the reading as part of this word.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿書（どくしょ）.

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    読

    読 completes 読書, read どくしょ; the word means reading books.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 読 from memory, and read 読む and 読書 aloud. Then check the readings and meanings.