看 / 读

Seeda

Banned
法语 / French (FR)
大家好,

What's the difference between 读 and 看 meaning to read? If I simply want to say that I'm reading a book: 我在看一本书 (?)
 
  • 看 is to read with eyes.
    讀 is to read with mouth (e.g. read out loud-->讀課文(read the texts)), or read with mind (study-->讀化學(study chemistry)).
    If you 看一本书, you are probably reading a book as a recreational thing.
    If you 读一本书, you are reading a book as you absorb knowledge from it. You might take notes. You might memorize something in it.
     
    The subtle differences suggested by Messquito is for your information. Another example: we usually say 看杂志 (magazine), not 读杂志, because magazines are usually for recreation.
    But if it's a book, in casual conversations, people could use either one.
     
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