yomu

Yomu is a Japanese verb meaning to read. It is written with the kanji 読む and read in kunyomi as yomu. The same kanji has on’yomi readings used in compounds, typically pronounced doku, which appears in words such as 読書 (dokusho, reading as a practice) and 読解 (dokkai, reading comprehension). The noun form 読み (yomi) or 読み方 (yomikata) denotes a reading or the way something is read.

As a transitive verb, yomu takes a direct object marked by を, for example 本を読む (hon o yomu, to read a book). It conjugates according to standard Japanese godan patterns: present/future 読む, negative 読まない, past 読んだ, te-form 読んで. The potential form 読める expresses “can read.” Passive is 読まれる, and causative is 読ませる; the causative passive is 読まされる. The volitional form is 読もう, and the imperative generally appears as 読め.

Yomu appears in a wide range of expressions related to reading. Compound terms include 読書 (dokusho, reading as an activity), 読み方 (yomikata, the way something is read or pronounced), 読み聞かせ (yomikikase, reading aloud to someone, such as a child), 音読 (ondoku, reading aloud), and 黙読 (mokudoku, silent reading). The verb also participates in phrases describing reading habits or techniques, such as 読み直す (yominaosu, to reread) and 読み飛ばす (yomitobasu, to skim or skip parts).

In usage, yomu appears across formal and informal styles, from everyday tasks like reading a book to academic contexts such as literature analysis. Its basic sense remains constant, while its forms enable nuanced expression of reading actions, abilities, and methods.