朗读

• Pinyin: lǎng dú
• Hanzi breakdown: 朗 = 良 (good) + 月 (moon), bright like moonlight; 读 = 讠(speech) + 卖 (sell), to speak out text

Meaning

To read aloud; to recite clearly. The act of reading text out loud with clear pronunciation.

Specifically refers to reading written text aloud, emphasizing clear and expressive delivery. Common in educational settings, formal readings, and practice for language learning. Distinguished from 背诵 (recite from memory) as 朗读 involves reading from a text.

Examples

1. 老师让学生朗读课文的第一段。 The teacher asked the students to read the first paragraph of the text aloud.
2. 每天早上朗读英语文章可以提高口语水平。 Reading English articles aloud every morning can improve your speaking ability.
3. 他朗读诗歌的声音非常有感染力。 His voice when reading poetry aloud is very moving.

Usage Guide

Context: education, language learning, formal

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请大家朗读第三十页。(Everyone, please read page thirty aloud.)
• 朗读比赛她得了第一名。(She won first place in the reading aloud competition.)

Don't Say

• 他朗读了一个笑话给我听。(For casual speaking, use 讲 or 说 — 朗读 implies reading from written text formally)

Origin & History

朗 (lǎng, clear/bright) + 读 (dú, read). To read in a clear, bright voice.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal