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March 24, 2026
阅(閱)yuè(yue4)
The character 阅 (yuè) primarily means 'to read' or 'to inspect.' It is often used in contexts involving reviewing documents or texts, and it conveys a sense of thorough examination or experience. In formal settings, it can refer to the act of reviewing official documents or literature.
Strokes10Radical门Frequency#31303DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of reading is highly valued, often associated with personal growth and enlightenment. The term 阅 is frequently seen in phrases related to education and the importance of lifelong learning.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing at the threshold of a library (the radical 阝suggests a hill or mound, hinting at an accumulation of knowledge) with a book in hand, ready to read and inspect the wisdom within. The pronunciation 'yuè' sounds like 'yet,' as in 'I haven't yet read this book.'
Meanings of 阅
yuè(yue4)
1to inspect
2ro review
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 阅
阅Simplified
閱Traditional
10Strokes
门Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#31303Frequency Rank
Podcast: 阅
Podcast: 阅
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AI Study Notes for 阅
Quick Contrast
阅读 (yùndòng) vs 读 (dú) — use 阅 for formal or thorough reading contexts, while 读 is more general and casual.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing at the threshold of a library (the radical 阝suggests a hill or mound, hinting at an accumulation of knowledge) with a book in hand, ready to read and inspect the wisdom within. The pronunciation 'yuè' sounds like 'yet,' as in 'I haven't yet read this book.'
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 阅 with other characters like 读 (dú), which also means 'to read,' but with a different nuance (more casual). In formal writing, use 阅 when referring to official readings or inspections. Remember that it is often paired with words like '报告' (bàogào, report) or '文件' (wénjiàn, document).
HSK Study Tips
While 阅 is not in the official HSK levels, it shares roots with other reading-related words. Students at HSK level 4 or 5 should focus on recognizing its use in formal contexts, particularly in written Chinese, as it often appears in academic and professional settings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of reading is highly valued, often associated with personal growth and enlightenment. The term 阅 is frequently seen in phrases related to education and the importance of lifelong learning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 阅 with 读, using them interchangeably in contexts where formal language is required. For example, saying '我昨天阅了一本书' (I read a book yesterday) is incorrect; it should be '我昨天读了一本书.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 阅
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Grammar Patterns of 阅
阅 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
My reasons were stated in writing and circulated to all committee members.
7
他是个酷爱阅读的人，总觉得书不够读。
tā shì gè kù ài yuè dú de rén， ， zǒng jué dé shū bù gòu。
He misses not having enough books because he's an avid reader.
8
我饶有兴致地阅读了杰曼·格里尔在三月那期发表的文章。
wǒ ráo yǒu xīng zhì dì yuè dú le jié màn· · gé lǐ ěr zài sān yuè nà qī fā biǎo de wén。
I read Germaine Greer's article in the March issue with particular interest.
9
他正在他那间小书房里批阅文章。
tā zhèng zài tā nà jiān xiǎo shū fáng lǐ pī yuè wén zhāng。
He was marking essays in his small study.
10
他老是记不起把自己阅读时用的放大镜放在什么地方，所以助手们会随身携带备用的。
tā lǎo shì jì bù qǐ bǎ zì jǐ yuè dú shí yòng de fàng dà jìng fàng zài shí mó dì fāng， ， suǒ yǐ zhù shǒu mén huì suí shēn xié dài bèi yòng。
He misplaces his reading glasses with such regularity that aides carry extras.
Cultural Notes for 阅
💡Did you know?
In ancient China, reading was considered a vital skill for scholars and officials. The character 阅 reflects the importance of literature and knowledge in Chinese culture.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of reading is highly valued, often associated with personal growth and enlightenment. The term 阅 is frequently seen in phrases related to education and the importance of lifelong learning.
Word Family of 阅
Words Containing This Character20
阅读yuèdúto read閱讀
查阅to consult查閱
订阅subscription訂閱
阅yuèto inspect閱
阅历yuèlìto experience閱歷
检阅to inspect檢閱
翻阅to thumb through翻閱
审阅to review or peruse審閱
阅兵to review troops閱兵
阅览室yuèlǎnshìreading room閱覽室
阅卷to grade exam papers閱卷
传阅to read and pass on傳閱
参阅to consult參閱
借阅to borrow books to read借閱
阅兵式military parade閱兵式
阅览to read閱覽
调阅to consult調閱
阅读器reader (software)閱讀器
批阅to referee批閱
评阅to read and appraise評閱
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 阅读 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 阅
Yes, 阅 is used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing reading, reviews, or inspection of materials. It is a versatile character that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common phrases with 阅 include 阅览室 (yuè lǎn shì), which means 'reading room', and 阅书 (yuè shū), meaning 'to read books'. These phrases highlight the usage of 阅 in contexts related to reading and examination.
阅 (yuè) means to inspect, review, read, or peruse. It is commonly used in contexts where one is going through written material or experiencing something. This character emphasizes the act of examining or considering something carefully.
You can use 阅 (yuè) in a sentence to express the action of reading or reviewing something. For example, '我每天阅书' means 'I read books every day.' This shows that you are actively engaging with written content.
阅 is more formal and implies a thorough inspection or review, while 读 is more casual and simply means to read.
No, 阅 is typically used in formal contexts, such as reading official documents or reports, rather than casual reading.
