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What is the Kanji for 'Read'? | 読

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Read', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Read' is 読.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Read

    Reading

    kunyomi

    yo

    onyomiどく

    doku

    Parts

    Say Sell

    Example Word

    読書: reading. The Japanese verbal noun '読書 (どくしょ)' refers to the act of reading books. It is commonly used to describe the activity of reading for pleasure, study, or personal growth. This term emphasizes the process of engaging with written material, often implying a more serious or dedicated approach to reading. For example: I enjoy reading「私は読書が好きです」(わたしはどくしょがすきです). Reading is important for learning「読書は学ぶために重要です」(どくしょはまなぶためにじゅうようです). The term can also be used in contexts like '読書会 (どくしょかい)', which means a book club or reading group.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    296

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Say

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sell

Words Using

This kanji is used in 9 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 21 kanji contain the part 言 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Measure, Plan

    kanji

    Meaning

    Talk

    kanji

    Meaning

    Language, Word

    kanji

    Meaning

    Record

    kanji

    調

    Meaning

    Investigate, Tune

    kanji

    Meaning

    Entice, Induce

    kanji

    Meaning

    Trust

    kanji

    Meaning

    Theory, Argument

    kanji

    Meaning

    Recognize, Admit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Warn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Evaluate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Visit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reason, Translation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Constitution

    kanji

    Meaning

    Correct, Revise

    kanji

    Meaning

    Noh chanting, Popular song

    kanji

    Meaning

    Instruct, Admonish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Swear, Vow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Praise, Honor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Abandon, Give up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Who

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 読 mean?

読 means 'Read'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.