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 (?)
 
  • Messquito

    Senior Member
    Chinese - Taiwan 中文 Taiwanese Hokkien 臺語
    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.
     

    SuperXW

    Senior Member
    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.
     
    Top