读 (dú) — to read; to attend (school); to pronounce
Definition
读 (dú) covers 'read', 'attend school', and 'pronounce' — all under one verb. For 'read aloud' specifically, use 朗读 or 念.
verb
to readto attend (school)to pronounce
Examples
- 读。Wǒ dú zhè běn shū.I read this book.
- 读。Tā zài xué xiào dú zhōng wén.He studies Chinese at school.
- 读？Nǐ jīn tiān dú le jǐ běn shū?How many books did you read today?
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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.
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
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