読 — Read, Reading

Meaning

The kanji 読よむ represents the act of 'reading.' It is a foundational character you will frequently encounter when learning Japanese, signifying the comprehension of written text. At its core, 読よ embodies understanding, interpreting, and even vocalizing written symbols. Consider the wealth of stories, news, and knowledge that becomes accessible through this simple yet profound act.

Let’s analyze its visual components to understand its origin. The left side of 読よ is the radical 言ことば (koto-ba), meaning 'speech' or 'word.' This connection to language is intuitive for reading. The right side, 売う (u), means 'to sell' or 'to circulate.' This component provides the phonetic element and might also allude to the dissemination or spread of written words. Thus, the kanji combines the concept of 'words' with the idea of 'circulating' or 'processing' them to convey the meaning of 'reading.'

With 14 strokes, this kanji is moderately intricate to write, yet each stroke contributes to its balanced form. It is introduced in the 2nd grade of Japanese elementary schools, making it one of the earliest and most vital kanji for young students. As a JLPT N5 kanji, mastering 読よ is a key step for anyone embarking on their Japanese language journey.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

On'yomi are readings adopted from Chinese. For 読よ, the most common are ドク (doku) and トク (toku). These readings typically appear in compound words where 読よ is combined with other kanji.

ドク (doku): This is the primary on'yomi reading for 読よ and is prevalent in terms related to reading. For instance, the act of reading books is expressed as 読どく書しょ (dokusho). To refer to a 'reader' (person), you would use 読どく者しゃ (dokusha). This versatile reading encompasses many aspects of the reading world.
読どく書しょ (dokusho) — reading (books)
読どく者しゃ (dokusha) — reader
読とく本ほん (tokuhon) — reader, textbook (also sometimes pronounced 'dokuhon')
トク (toku): Although less frequent than ドク, the トク reading appears in specific compound words. A notable example is 句く読とう点てん (kutouten), meaning 'punctuation marks.' Here, the sound changes from ドク to トク (or specifically とう in this compound), illustrating the nuanced nature of on'yomi readings in combinations. Recognizing such exceptions helps deepen your grasp of Japanese phonology.
句く読とう点てん (kutouten) — punctuation marks
再さい読どく (saidoku) — re-reading (while 'saitoku' can occur in some contexts, 'saidoku' is more common for general re-reading)

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

Kun'yomi are native Japanese readings, often used when a kanji appears alone or as part of a Japanese verb conjugation. For 読よ, the primary kun'yomi is よ.む (yo.mu), which forms the basic verb 'to read.' The other reading, -よ.み (-yo.mi), functions as a suffix.

よ.む (yo.mu): This is the fundamental verb 'to read.' You will use this form when simply stating 'I read' or 'he reads.' For example, 本ほんを読よむ (hon wo yomu) means 'to read a book.' This is arguably the most crucial reading to master for daily conversation.
読よむ (yomu) — to read
読よめます (yomemasu) — can read (potential form)
読よんで (yonde) — reading (te-form)
-よ.み (-yo.mi): This reading typically appears within compound words or as a noun suffix. It denotes 'the act of reading' or 'how to read.' For example, 読よみ方かた (yomikata) means 'way of reading' or 'how to read,' often used when discussing pronunciation or textual interpretations.
読よみ方かた (yomikata) — way of reading, how to read
読よみ返かえす (yomikaesu) — to reread
読よみ聞きかせ (yomikikase) — reading aloud (to someone)

Common Words & Compounds

Explore these common words and compounds featuring the kanji 読よ, categorized to highlight their connections and enrich your vocabulary.

Reading Activities and Habits

読どく書しょ (dokusho) — reading (books). A key term for any avid reader!
読どく書しょ家か (dokusoka) — avid reader, book lover.
読よみ聞きかせ (yomikikase) — reading aloud (to children, etc.). A cherished activity for parents and educators.

People and Materials

読どく者しゃ (dokusha) — reader (e.g., of a newspaper or book).
読とく本ほん (tokuhon) — reader, textbook.
読よみ物もの (yomimono) — reading material. This can refer to anything from a magazine to a novel.

Specific Actions and Concepts Related to Reading

読よみ返かえす (yomikaesu) — to reread. Sometimes a second read is necessary for full comprehension!
読よみ解とく (yomitoku) — to decipher, to interpret, to read and understand.
読よみ込こむ (yomikomu) — to read thoroughly, to take into account.
読よみ合あわせる (yomiawaseru) — to check by reading against another text.
読よみ替かえ (yomikae) — alternative reading (of a kanji).

Reading-related Tools and Understanding

句く読とう点てん (kutouten) — punctuation marks. Crucial for clear and effective reading!
読どっ解かい (dokkai) — reading comprehension. The ultimate goal of engaging with text!

Example Sentences

この本ほんはとても面白おもしろいので、もう一度いちど読よみたいです。

Kono hon wa totemo omoshiroi node, mou ichido yomitai desu.

This book is very interesting, so I want to read it one more time.

毎日まいにち新聞しんぶんを読よむのが私わたしの習慣しゅうかんです。

Mainichi shinbun wo yomu no ga watashi no shuukan desu.

Reading the newspaper every day is my habit.

彼かれは今いま、本ほんを読よんでいます。

Kare wa ima, hon wo yonde imasu.

He is reading a book right now.

読どく書しょは知識ちしきを増ふやすのに役立やくだちます。

Dokusho wa chishiki wo fuyasu no ni yakudachimasu.

Reading helps to increase knowledge.

この文ぶんの読よみ方かたが分わかりません。

Kono bun no yomikata ga wakarimasen.

I don't know how to read this sentence.

子供こどもたちに絵本えほんを読よみ聞きかせました。

Kodomotachi ni ehon wo yomikikasemashita.

I read picture books aloud to the children.

難むずかしい本ほんですが、彼かれは熱心ねっしんに読よみ解とこうとしています。

Muzukashii hon desu ga, kare wa nesshin ni yomitokou to shite imasu.

It's a difficult book, but he is eagerly trying to decipher it.

この漫画まんがはとても面白おもしろいので、読どく者しゃがたくさんいます。

Kono manga wa totemo omoshiroi node, dokusha ga takusan imasu.

This manga is very interesting, so it has many readers.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 読よ, consider its components: on the left, we have 言ことば (koto-ba), the radical for 'speech' or 'words.' This clearly links the kanji to language. On the right is 売う (u), meaning 'to sell.' Visualize a scenario where words are 'sold' or widely 'circulated'—not literally, but like news, stories, or important documents being spread to many people. This broad distribution of 'words' suggests the act of 'reading' them. So, when you see 'words' (言ことば) being 'circulated/sold' (売う), it should immediately bring 'reading' to mind; you are consuming those disseminated words.