1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji 読 (yomu) means “to read.” It is commonly used to refer to the act of reading written text, such as books, articles, or any written material.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji 読 is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the meaning of “to speak” (言) with a phonetic component (督) that suggests the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for 読 is 言 (gonben), which relates to speech or language.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include 読 are:
- 読書 (dokusho) – reading books
- 読み物 (yomimono) – reading material
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 私は毎日本を読む。 (Watashi wa mainichi hon o yomu.) – I read books every day.
- この新聞を読んでください。 (Kono shinbun o yonde kudasai.) – Please read this newspaper.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is 書 (kaku), which means “to write.” While 読 focuses on reading, 書 emphasizes the act of writing.
Antonym: The antonym of 読 is 聞 (kiku), which means “to listen.” While 読 involves visual comprehension, 聞 pertains to auditory understanding.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: Reading is highly valued in Japanese culture, with a rich tradition of literature and poetry. The act of reading is often associated with education and personal growth.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common proverb is 読書百遍意自ずから通ず (Dokusho hyappen, i onozukara tsūzu), which means “Reading a book a hundred times leads to understanding.” This emphasizes the importance of reading for comprehension and knowledge.