读 (dú) - To read & to study

读Tone 2

dú ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

读 · dú

To read;

to study;

to attend school;

reading material;

a measure word for books.

To readto studyto attend school

Usage highlights

Read a bookRead aloudReading materialAttend schoolIntensive readingExtensive reading

Synonyms

  • 阅— To read; to peruse
  • 看— To look at; to read (informal)
  • 念— To read aloud

Antonyms

  • 写— To write

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I like to read books (读书).
  • He is reading a newspaper (读报纸).
  • She attends elementary school (读小学).
  • This is a reader (读物).

Collocations

  • Read a book(读书)
  • Read aloud(朗读)
  • Reading material(读物)
  • Attend school(读书)
  • Intensive reading(精读)
  • Extensive reading(泛读)

Idioms

  • Read a hundred times, and the meaning will appear(读书百遍，其义自见)
  • Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles(读万卷书，行万里路)
  • Read until old and still learn(读不舍手)
  • A scholar who has read only one book(读死书)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Highly valued in Chinese culture as a pathway to knowledge, wisdom, and social advancement.
  • The phrase '读书' (to read/study) is synonymous with education and scholarly pursuit.
  • Historical imperial examinations emphasized the importance of reading classical texts.

FAQ