未読スルー

• Reading: みどくスルー
• Romaji: midoku surū
• Kanji breakdown: 未 (not yet) + 読 (read) + スルー (through/ignore) → not even reading the message
• Pronunciation: /mi.do.ku su.rūː/

Meaning

Intentionally not opening a message to avoid showing a read receipt — a step beyond leaving someone on read.

While 既読スルー means reading a message but not replying, 未読スルー takes avoidance further by not even opening the message. This way, no read receipt is generated and the sender does not know if the message was seen. It is considered a more deliberate form of ignoring someone, and can feel even more hurtful than 既読スルー because it signals complete disinterest. Very common in LINE culture where read receipts are prominent.

Examples

1. 通知で内容見えたけど、めんどいから未読スルーした。 I could see the message from the notification, but it was too much hassle so I just left it unread.
2. 未読スルーされてるっぽい、既読もつかない。 I think I'm getting unread-ignored — they haven't even opened it.
3. あの人いつも未読スルーするから連絡しても無駄。 That person always leaves messages unread, so there's no point in even texting them.

Usage Guide

Context: LINE, messaging, casual conversation

Tone: accusatory, frustrated

Do Say

• 未読スルーって既読無視よりたち悪くない？ (Isn't leaving a message unread even worse than read-ignoring?)
• 忙しくて未読スルーしてたらめっちゃ怒られた。 (I left it unread because I was busy and got yelled at.)

Don't Say

• 未読スルーを深刻に受け止めすぎる (Don't take unread-ignoring too seriously — they might just be genuinely busy)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing 未読スルー with 既読スルー — 未読 means the message was not even opened, 既読 means it was read but not replied to
• Assuming someone is doing 未読スルー when they simply have notifications off

Origin & History

Emerged alongside LINE messaging culture in the mid-2010s as a counterpart to 既読スルー. Combines 未読 (midoku, unread) with スルー (surū, pass through/ignore). Reflects the intense social dynamics around read receipts in Japanese messaging culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-2010s, alongside LINE read receipt culture

Generation: All LINE users

Social background: Universal in Japan

Regional notes: Used across Japan. Part of a trio with 既読スルー and 既読無視 that reflects Japanese sensitivity to communication etiquette in messaging apps.