必读 (bì dòu) — (noun) a must-read; essential reading

Definition

必读 is a noun or adjective meaning 'must-read / essential reading' — used to label a book or text that everyone in a certain group should read.

noun

a must-readessential reading

必读。
Zhè běn xiǎo shuō shì wén xué ài hào zhě de bì dòu.
This novel is a must-read for literature enthusiasts.
必读。
Lǎo shī kāi le yí gè bì dòu shū mù qīng dān.
The teacher gave a list of must-read books.
，必读。
Duì xué zhōng wén de rén lái shuō, zhè běn shū shì bì dòu.
For people learning Chinese, this book is a must-read.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

必 means must and 读 means read, together naming something worth reading.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 必 comes from the handle on the right side of a weapon, with two extra strokes added to its sides.

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.