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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "読みます", "読む", "よむ", "読み取る", "渉猟する"

All represent the core concept "read", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

読みます

よみます (yomimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

読む

よむ (yomu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

よむ

よむ (yomu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

読み取る

よみとる (yomitoru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

渉猟する

しょうりょうする (shouryou suru)
C2 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "read" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "読みます", "読む", "よむ", "読み取る", "渉猟する" based on context.
  • 読みます (よみます (yomimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to read (polite form)" and is used when Polite form of 読む.
  • 読む (よむ (yomu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to read" and is used when Used for written materials. Polite form is 読みます.
  • よむ (よむ (yomu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to read" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for reading books, newspapers, letters, etc. The kanji is 読む..
  • 読み取る (よみとる (yomitoru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to read (e.g. data); to understand (from context/appearance)" and is used when 情報や意図などを、表面的なものだけでなく、深く理解して把握する際に使う。Used when understanding and grasping information or intentions not just superficially, but deeply..
  • 渉猟する (しょうりょうする (shouryou suru) - Level: C2): Maps to "to read extensively" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "読みます"
本を読みます。
I read books.
Context for "読む"
本を読みます。
I read a book.
Context for "よむ"
本をよみます。
I read books.
Context for "読み取る"
彼の表情から、不満を読み取ることができた。
I could read his dissatisfaction from his expression.
Context for "渉猟する"
毎日、日本語を練習するために渉猟する。
Every day, I read extensively to practice Japanese.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "本を ___ 。" (Meaning: "I read books.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "読みます" is correct here because it represents "to read (polite form)" in the context: "I read books.".

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