诵读 (sòng dú) — to read aloud (with rhythm or expression, often…

Definition

诵读 means to read or recite aloud with rhythm and expression, typically classical poetry or texts — more formal and performative than simply 朗读.

verb

to read aloud (with rhythm or expression, often classical texts or poetry)

诵读。
Lǎo shī ràng xué shēng men yì qǐ sòng dú kè wén.
The teacher had the students read the lesson aloud together.
诵读。
Tā měi tiān zǎo chén dōu huì sòng dú gǔ shī.
Every morning he chants ancient poems.
诵读。
Zhè shǒu cí shì hé màn màn sòng dú.
This Ci poem is suitable for slow recitation.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

The “诵” part gives reciting and “读” part gives reading, together meaning reading aloud with rhythm.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 誦; 诵 is its simplified writing.

言甬誦

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

甬

甬yǒng誦sòng

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 誦 pairs 言 (words) with 甬 to give the sound; the simplified 诵 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 讀; 读 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

言言yánto say

Sound part声符shēngfú

𧶠

𧶠𧶠讀dú

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 讀 is made of 言 ('to say') and 𧶠 (giving the sound); this description is about 讀, not 读.

Appears in