dú: 读 - to Read, to Study, to Attend School

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Summary: Discover the meaning of the essential Chinese verb 读 (dú), one of the first characters you'll learn. This page explains how 读 (dú) means more than just “to read”; it's fundamentally linked to the concepts of “to study” and “to attend school.” Learn the difference between 读 (dú) and 看 (kàn), understand its cultural importance in China, and see practical examples of how to use it correctly in conversation.

Pinyin (with tone marks): dú

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: To read (often aloud), to study a subject, or to attend an educational institution.

In a Nutshell: 读 (dú) is an active verb. It's not about passively looking at words on a page—that's 看 (kàn). Instead, 读 (dú) implies engaging with the material. Its most basic meaning is to read text aloud, which then extends logically to the broader concepts of studying a subject in depth and the entire experience of formal education, from elementary school to university.

读 (dú) is a phono-semantic compound character, meaning one part gives a clue to the meaning and the other to the sound.

言 (yán): The radical on the left is the “speech” radical. It originates from a pictogram of a mouth with a tongue sticking out, representing words, language, and speaking. This gives 读 its core meaning related to vocalizing text.

卖 (mài): The component on the right, meaning “to sell,” primarily serves as the phonetic component here, providing a hint to the pronunciation.

Together, 言 (speech) and 卖 (mài phonetic) create 读 (dú), a character whose original meaning was to vocalize words—to read aloud. This foundational meaning expanded over time to encompass the entire process of learning from texts: studying.

In Chinese culture, the concept of 读书 (dúshū), literally “reading books,” holds immense weight. It's not just a hobby; it's synonymous with “getting an education” and is seen as the primary path to self-improvement, social mobility, and success.

This value is deeply rooted in history, particularly the imperial examination system (科举 kējǔ), where scholars would study for decades for a chance to become a government official. A famous proverb states: 读书改变命运 (dúshū gǎibiàn mìngyùn) — “Studying changes your destiny.”

Comparison to Western Culture: In English, “reading” and “studying” are distinct activities. You might “read” a novel for pleasure but “study” for an exam. In Chinese, 读 (dú) bridges this gap. While you can use other words, saying 我在读书 (Wǒ zài dúshū) is the most common way to say “I am studying” or “I am a student.” It implies a serious, purposeful engagement with knowledge, reflecting a cultural reverence for education that is arguably more pronounced than in the West.

读 (dú) is an extremely common and versatile verb used in daily life.

This is the most literal meaning. It's used when asking someone to vocalize text.

Example: “The teacher asked the student to read the text.” (老师让学生读课文。)

This refers to the act of formally studying an academic field.

Example: “I study computer science at university.” (我在大学读计算机科学。)

This is perhaps the most common usage in conversation. It describes a person's status as a student and the level of their education.

Example: “My son is attending elementary school.” (我儿子在读小学。)

When you don't know the pronunciation of a character, you ask how it is “dú.”

Example: “How do you pronounce this character?” (这个字怎么读？)

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 读 (dú) and 看 (kàn).

看 (kàn) - To look, see, watch. Used for casual, silent reading for pleasure. It is the counterpart to 读's active, academic reading.

读书 (dúshū) - A verb-object phrase (“read book”) that functions as a single concept meaning “to study” or “to attend school.”

学习 (xuéxí) - To learn, to study. A broader term than 读. You can 学习 anything (like driving or cooking), but you 读 academic subjects.

阅读 (yuèdú) - A more formal and literary verb for “to read.” It often refers to the act of reading comprehension and is used in written contexts, like on exams.

念 (niàn) - To read aloud, to chant. A close synonym for 读 in its “read aloud” sense, sometimes used interchangeably.

上学 (shàngxué) - Literally “to go to school.” A common, slightly more colloquial synonym for 读书 when talking about attending school, especially for K-12.

发音 (fāyīn) - Pronunciation. This is what you are asking for when you ask how a character is 读.

课本 (kèběn) - Textbook. The primary type of book that one 读s in an academic context.