Kan shu (看书) is the fundamental Chinese phrase for 'to read a book'.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To read a book.
- Basic A1 level Chinese verb.
- Common in daily life contexts.
Overview
“看书”是一个非常基础且常用的中文词汇，属于A1级别。它直接翻译为“to read a book”，指用眼睛阅读文字，获取信息或享受故事。这个词的构成很简单，“看”意为“to see/look/watch”，“书”意为“book”。组合起来，它清晰地表达了阅读书籍这一行为。
“看书”通常作为及物动词使用，后面直接跟名词“书”。例如：“我喜欢看书。”（I like to read books.）它也可以与时间、地点、目的等状语连用，来描述何时、何地或为何看书。例如：“我晚上在家看书。”（I read books at home in the evening.）或者“他正在图书馆看书。”（He is reading a book in the library.）
这个词在日常生活中非常常见。学生在学习时会看书（课本、参考书）；人们在休闲时会看书（小说、杂志）；在需要获取信息时也会看书（说明书、报纸）。在学校、图书馆、家里、咖啡馆等场所，都可能听到或用到这个词。
与“看书”最接近的词是“阅读”。“阅读”比“看书”更书面化，更正式，可以指阅读任何文字材料，不限于书籍，如文章、报告等。而“看书”则更口语化，更具体地指阅读书籍。例如，你可以说“我喜欢阅读文学作品”，但说“我喜欢看书”时，通常指的就是读小说、故事书等。“读书”也是一个相关词，它除了包含“阅读”的意思，有时还侧重于“学习”、“求学”的含义，如“他去北京读书了”（He went to Beijing to study.）。因此，“看书”是最直接、最口语化的表达阅读书籍的词。
Examples
我每天晚上都看书。
everydayI read books every evening.
请保持安静，不要打扰别人看书。
public placePlease be quiet and don't disturb others reading.
你最近在看什么书？
informal conversationWhat book are you reading recently?
他通过看书学习了很多新知识。
academic/learningHe learned a lot of new knowledge by reading books.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
看书学习
read books and study
看书时间
reading time
爱看书
love reading books
Often Confused With
'阅读' (yùdú) is a more formal and literary term for 'to read', applicable to any text. '看书' is more colloquial and specifically refers to reading books.
'读书' (dúshū) can mean 'to read books' but often implies 'to study' or 'to attend school', focusing more on the learning aspect.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The phrase '看书' is very common and widely understood in all contexts. It's suitable for everyday conversations, school settings, and casual interactions. While it can be used in slightly more formal writing, '阅读' is often preferred for academic or official documents.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes confuse '看书' with '读书' (dúshū), which carries a stronger connotation of formal study or attending school. Ensure the context implies reading a physical or digital book for pleasure or information, not necessarily academic pursuit.
Tips
Practice Reading Aloud
Try reading simple sentences with '看书' aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency.
Distinguish from '读书'
While related, '读书' can also mean 'to study' or 'to attend school', so context is key.
Reading as Leisure
In Chinese culture, reading books is often seen as a valuable way to spend leisure time and enrich oneself.
Word Origin
The word '看书' is a straightforward combination of '看' (kàn - to see, to look at) and '书' (shū - book). It literally means 'to look at a book', which evolved into the common meaning of 'to read a book'.
Cultural Context
Reading is highly valued in Chinese culture, historically associated with scholarship and intellectual growth. Even today, reading books is seen as a productive and enriching activity for people of all ages.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone 'looking' (看 kàn) at a 'book' (书 shū) – the characters directly represent the action. Associate the sound 'kan shu' with the visual of reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“看书”更口语化，特指阅读书籍。“阅读”更书面化，可以指阅读任何文字材料，包括文章、报告等。
是的，在现代语境下，“看书”也可以指阅读电子书或在屏幕上阅读文字。
可以，例如：“看书名”（read the title of a book）、“看书的内容”（read the content of a book）。但最常见的是直接用“看书”本身。
“看书”是一个双音节词，由两个汉字“看”和“书”组成。
Test Yourself
我喜欢在周末 ___ ___。
根据句意“我喜欢在周末...”和选项，填入“看书”最符合描述休闲活动的语境。
Which sentence correctly uses '看书'?
只有“她喜欢看书”正确地使用了“看书”来表示阅读书籍的动作。
请用“我”、“看书”、“喜欢”、“很”组成一个句子。
“我很喜欢看书”是符合中文语法和表达习惯的正确句子结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Kan shu (看书) is the fundamental Chinese phrase for 'to read a book'.
- To read a book.
- Basic A1 level Chinese verb.
- Common in daily life contexts.
Practice Reading Aloud
Try reading simple sentences with '看书' aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency.
Distinguish from '读书'
While related, '读书' can also mean 'to study' or 'to attend school', so context is key.
Reading as Leisure
In Chinese culture, reading books is often seen as a valuable way to spend leisure time and enrich oneself.
Examples
4 of 4我每天晚上都看书。
I read books every evening.
请保持安静，不要打扰别人看书。
Please be quiet and don't disturb others reading.
你最近在看什么书？
What book are you reading recently?
他通过看书学习了很多新知识。
He learned a lot of new knowledge by reading books.
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