読: the kanji for read
読 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means read. Below are its readings, 13 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
読 is written in 14 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
読 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 12 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ドク (doku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 読書どくしょ · dokusho | reading (books) |
| 読者どくしゃ · dokusha | reader |
| 音読おんどく · ondoku | reading aloud |
| 購読こうどく · kōdoku | subscription |
| 愛読あいどく · aidoku | reading with pleasure |
| 既読きどく · kidoku | read (message status) |
トク (toku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 読本とくほん · tokuhon | reader (textbook) |
トウ (tou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 読点とうてん · tōten | comma (in Japanese) |
| 句読点くとうてん · kutōten | punctuation marks |
よむ (yomu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 読むよむ · yomu | to read |
| 読み方よみかた · yomikata | how to read (a word) |
| 読みよみ · yomi | reading |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 読, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 読経どきょう · dokyō | chanting of sutras |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- メールを読みました。Mēru o yomimashita.I read your email.
- この漢字の読み方を教えてください。Kono kanji no yomikata o oshiete kudasai.Please tell me how to read this kanji.
- 趣味は読書です。Shumi wa dokusho desu.My hobby is reading.
- メッセージが既読になりました。Messēji ga kidoku ni narimashita.The message has been marked as read.
- 資料を音読してください。Shiryō o ondoku shite kudasai.Please read the materials aloud.
- 句読点の位置に気を付けてください。Kutōten no ichi ni ki o tsukete kudasai.Please pay attention to where the punctuation goes.
Questions about 読
How many strokes does 読 have?
読 is written in 14 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 読?
The on readings are doku (ドク), toku (トク), tou (トウ). The kun readings are yomu (よむ).
What does 既読 mean?
既読 (kidoku) means "read." Messaging apps show it when the other person has opened your message.
What JLPT level is 読?
N5. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
Actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 読
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.