Meanings of 讀
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About 讀
Podcast: 讀
Podcast: 讀
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AI Study Notes for 讀
讀 (dú) vs 閱 (yuè) — use 讀 when emphasizing the act of reading aloud or studying, while 閱 focuses more on reading for comprehension or enjoyment.
Learners often confuse 讀 (dú) with 读 (dú), which is the simplified form used in Mainland China. It's important to use the correct script depending on the context. When using this character, it typically appears in phrases related to education or reading, like 讀書 (dú shū - to study or read books).
While 讀 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to words related to education, such as 學習 (xué xí - to learn) and 書 (shū - book). Focus on recognizing its traditional form and using it in sentences about reading and studying.
A common mistake is to confuse 讀 with the simplified form 读, especially among learners who focus only on simplified characters. Another mistake is using it incorrectly in phrases; for example, saying 讀寫 (dú xiě - read and write) instead of 讀書和寫作 (dú shū hé xiě zuò).
Pronunciation of 讀
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Etymology of 讀
Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 卖 represents the sound. Simplified form of 讀.
To show off 賣 one's literacy 言
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 讀
Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 卖 represents the sound. Simplified form of 讀.
- 1The giveawayTo show off 賣 one's literacy 言
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 讀? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 讀?
Decomposition of 讀
Identify the Components
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How to say to study, to learn; to read, to pronounce in Chinese
“to study, to learn; to read, to pronounce” in Chinese is讀
The character 讀 (dú) means 'to read' or 'to study'. It is commonly used in educational contexts, such as reading books or studying for exams. This character emphasizes both the act of reading aloud and the process of learning through reading.
When to use 讀
Learners often confuse 讀 (dú) with 读 (dú), which is the simplified form used in Mainland China. It's important to use the correct script depending on the context. When using this character, it typically appears in phrases related to education or reading, like 讀書 (dú shū - to study or read books).
讀 or something close to it
讀 (dú) vs 閱 (yuè) — use 讀 when emphasizing the act of reading aloud or studying, while 閱 focuses more on reading for comprehension or enjoyment.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is to confuse 讀 with the simplified form 读, especially among learners who focus only on simplified characters. Another mistake is using it incorrectly in phrases; for example, saying 讀寫 (dú xiě - read and write) instead of 讀書和寫作 (dú shū hé xiě zuò).
Write 讀
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Practice writing 讀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 讀
Compound Meaning
What does 读 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 讀
You can say 讀書很重要 (Dú shū hěn zhòng yào) meaning 'Reading is very important.'
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