読む

• Reading: よむ
• Romaji: yomu
• Kanji breakdown: 読 (doku/yo) — to read
• Pronunciation: /jo.mɯ/

Meaning

To read. The standard verb for reading books, newspapers, and other written material.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb with an m-stem. The te-form is 読んで (with ん sound change). Used broadly for any kind of reading. Can also mean 'to count' in certain set expressions. Often combined with 本 (hon, book) in N5-level practice sentences.

Examples

1. 毎晩本を読みます。 I read books every night.
2. この漢字が読めますか。 Can you read this kanji?
3. 新聞を読んでから出かけた。 I went out after reading the newspaper.

Usage Guide

Context: education, daily life, hobbies

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 読 combines 言 (words/speech) and 売 (a phonetic component), originally meaning to recite or read aloud.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal