About
The character 读 (traditional: 讀) is a phono-semantic compound. The left component 讠 (formerly 言) denotes a connection to speech, while the right component 卖 (traditional: 賣) provides the phonetic element. Its original meaning referred to reciting or reading texts aloud, which later extended to the broader sense of studying. Although 卖 means "to sell", this semantic content is irrelevant here; it functions only to indicate pronunciation. The speech radical thus accurately reflects the vocal nature of reading.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我每天都读书。
他在图书馆读报。
我读完了那本小说。
她喜欢阅读历史故事。
认真阅读这份说明书。
读者对这本书评价很高。
这本书值得仔细读一读。
反复阅读能够加深理解。