Meaning
阅读 means to read or the act of reading, especially with a sense of careful or purposeful reading. It's more formal than 看书 (to read a book) and often appears in academic or professional contexts. The word emphasizes the process of comprehending written material rather than just looking at text.
Usage
阅读 is commonly used in educational settings, formal writing, and when discussing reading as a skill or activity. It appears frequently on signs like "阅读室" (reading room) and in phrases about reading comprehension. In casual conversation, people might use 看书 instead, but 阅读 is standard in any formal or academic context.
Examples
- 01我每天都花一个小时阅读中文文章。.I spend an hour every day reading Chinese articles.
- 02提高阅读速度需要长期练习。.Improving reading speed requires long-term practice.
Characters
Common collocations
- 阅读理解reading comprehension
- 阅读能力reading ability
- 阅读材料reading material
- 阅读室reading room
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to reading: 阅 originally meant to inspect or examine documents (门 gate + 兑 exchange), while 读 combines 言 (speech) with 卖 (sell), suggesting reading aloud or reciting.