Translation and Meaning of: 読む - yomu

The Japanese word 「読む」 (yomu) is a verb that means "to read." It is written with the kanji 「読」, which has the radical 「言」 (words) on the left and the radical 「売」 (to sell) on the right. This kanji suggests the idea of communication or transmission of information, something essential in the act of reading. When combined with the verbal ending 「む」, it forms the verb in the infinitive, yomu, which refers to the act of deciphering words or texts.

The origin of the word dates back to the period when the Japanese language was assimilating Chinese characters, especially during the Han dynasty, when there was a great influx of literature and knowledge from China to Japan. Over time, the Japanese adapted the Chinese characters to represent their spoken language, which included the creation of new words and concepts, such as the case of yomu. This process of adaptation and evolution was reflected not only in Japanese vocabulary but also in literature and culture, creating a rich tradition of reading and writing.

The verb yomu can be found in various forms and conjugations, which are fundamental for verbal conjugation in the Japanese language. In addition to its use in the present, one can find forms like 「読んだ」 (yonda), which means "read" in the past, or 「読みます」 (yomimasu), which is a more polite and respectful way of using the verb. This variety of forms allows the verb to be adapted to different contexts, from casual conversations to formal situations.

The practice of yomu plays a central role in Japanese culture, where reading is valued as a way to acquire knowledge and wisdom. This value is reflected in the wide range of literature, manga, and other reading materials available in Japanese. The importance of reading is evident not only in formal education but also in daily life, where people are often encouraged to read from childhood to enhance their language skills and broaden their cultural horizons.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 読み込む (yomikomu) - Load (a file or data)
• 読み取る (yomitora) - Read (interpret information, such as codes or texts)
• 読み込み (yomikomi) - The act of uploading (usually used in the context of data or files)
• 読み (yomi) - Reading; it also refers to the way of reading a kanji
• 読むこと (yomu koto) - The act of reading (refers to the process itself)
• 読み方 (yomikata) - Reading method; how to read a word or kanji
• 読み書き (yomikaki) - Reading and writing (reading and writing skills)
• 読み上げる (yomiageru) - Read aloud
• 読み解く (yomitoku) - Decipher or understand a text
• 読み直す (yominaosu) - Read again, review a text.
• 読み込ませる (yomikomaseru) - Make someone or something load (data or files)
• 読み込める (yomikomeru) - Able to upload (data or files, upload capacity)
• 読み込み中 (yomikomi-chuu) - Loading process
• 読み込みエラー (yomikomi erā) - Loading error (problem loading data)
• 読み込み速度 (yomikomi sokudo) - Loading speed
• 読み込み中止 (yomikomi chūshi) - Loading interruption
• 読み込み待ち (yomikomi machi) - Waiting for the loading
• 読み込み完了 (yomikomi kanryou) - Full loading
• 読み込み中断 (yomikomi chuudan) - Loading process interruption
• 読み込みファイル (yomikomi fairu) - Loading file
• 読み込み失敗 (yomikomi shippai) - Loading error
• 読み込み中のファイル (yomikomi-chuu no fairu) - File being uploaded

読む

Romaji: yomu
Kana: よむ
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: read

Meaning in English: to read

Definition: Understand and derive meaning from letters and words.

Example Sentences - (読む) yomu

See below some example sentences:

雑誌を読むのが好きです。

Zasshi wo yomu no ga suki desu

I like to read magazines.

• 雑誌 (zasshi) - magazine
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 読む (yomu) - read
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the action of liking
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

新聞を読むのが好きです。

Shinbun wo yomu no ga suki desu

I like to read newspapers.

• 新聞 - means "newspaper" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 読む - verb meaning "to read" in Japanese
• のが - particle indicating a nominal phrase in Japanese
• 好き - adjective meaning "to like" in Japanese
• です - verb to be in Japanese

本を読むのが好きです。

Hon wo yomu no ga suki desu

I like read books.

• 本 - means "book" in Japanese.
• を - is a particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 読む - It is a verb that means "to read."
• のが - it is a grammatical construction that indicates a preference or ability.
• 好き - It is an adjective that means "to like".
• です - It is a polite way to end a sentence in Japanese, equivalent to our "is" or "it is".

薄暗い部屋で本を読むのは目が疲れる。

Hakuaii heya de hon wo yomu no wa me ga tsukareru

Reading books in a dark room tires the eyes.

Reading a book in a dark room is tired.

• 薄暗い - poor lighting
• 部屋 - fourth
• で - in
• 本 - book
• を - object particle
• 読む - read
• のは - Topic particle
• 目 - olhos
• が - subject particle
• 疲れる - cansar-se

読者は本を読むことが好きです。

Dokusha wa hon o yomu koto ga suki desu

Readers like to read books.

Readers like reading books.

• 読者 (yomikata) - reader
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 本 (hon) - book
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 読む (yomu) - read
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

教科書を読んで勉強しましょう。

Kyōkasho o yonde benkyō shimashou

Let's read the book and study.

Let's read the book and study.

• 教科書 - textbook
• を - direct object particle
• 読んで - conjunctive form of the verb "to read"
• 勉強 - estudar
• しましょう - polite form of the verb "to do"

一部の本を読みました。

Ichibu no hon wo yomimashita

I read a book of a part.

I read some books.

• 一部の - "alguns"
• 本 - "livros"
• を - direct object particle
• 読みました - "li/leu"

原書を読みたいです。

Gensho wo yomitai desu

I want to read the original book.

I want to read the original.

• 原書 - It means "original book" in Japanese.
• を - object particle in Japanese, indicates that the object of the action is "原書".
• 読みたい - verb "read" in the present tense, meaning "I want to read".
• です - finishing particle in Japanese, used to express politeness or formality.

読みが上手ですね。

Yomi ga jouzu desu ne

You read very well.

I am good at reading.

• 読み - reading
• が - subject particle
• 上手 - skillful, good
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present
• ね - confirmation/affirmation particle