Definitions

(verb) to read; to study
dòu (noun) pause; break in reading

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𧸇 represents the sound. Simplified form of .

About

The traditional character "讀" structurally integrates the speech radical "言" with the component "賣", which functioned primarily as a phonetic element, though its original association with vocalization is evident in the early meaning of reciting or reading text aloud. Over time, its application broadened from this oral practice to include silent reading and the general study of written material, reflecting a shift in literacy habits toward private engagement with texts. The simplified form "读" preserves the speech radical in its abbreviated form "讠" while replacing "賣" with "卖", a graphical alteration that maintains the character's core identity focused on interpreting written language. Throughout these structural and semantic developments, the character has consistently centered on the act of decoding written symbols, adapting to encompass both audible and internalized comprehension without losing its foundational connection to language processing.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我每天都书。

Wǒ měitiān dōu dú shū.

I read books every day.

他在图书馆报。

Tā zài túshūguǎn dú bào.

He reads newspapers in the library.

完了那本小说。

Wǒ dú wán le nà běn xiǎoshuō.

I have finished reading that novel.

她喜欢阅历史故事。

Tā xǐhuān yuèdú lìshǐ gùshi.

She enjoys reading historical stories.

认真阅这份说明书。

Rènzhēn yuèdú zhè fèn shuōmíngshū.

Read this instruction manual carefully.

者对这本书评价很高。

Dúzhě duì zhè běn shū píngjià hěn gāo.

Readers rate this book very highly.

这本书值得仔细

Zhè běn shū zhídé zǐxì dú yī dú.

This book is worth reading carefully.

反复阅能够加深理解。

Fǎnfù yuèdú nénggòu jiāshēn lǐjiě.

Repeated reading can deepen comprehension.