Level 2 · Unit 3 Verbs & Actions

How to Write 读 (dú)

Meaning: "Read"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 读

The character 读 (Traditional: 讀) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Read". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 22-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Verbs & Actions, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

读书 / 讀書 dúshū duk6 syu1
to read books, to study
阅读 / 閱讀 yuèdú jyut6 duk6
to read

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 读 is built on the radical Speech radical (讠/訁), No. 149. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Phono-semantic compound: The speech radical 讠 indicates meaning related to words, and the phonetic component 卖 (mài) provides the sound (with historical phonetic shifts).

Example Sentence

Simplified: 我喜欢阅读中文书。

Wǒ xǐhuān yuèdú Zhōngwén shū.

Traditional: 我喜歡閱讀中文書。

ngo5 hei2 fun1 jyut6 duk6 zung1 man4 syu1.

"I like to read Chinese books."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as dú. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is duk6. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '读'?

A) To read
B) To write
C) To speak
D) To listen

Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 3

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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