How to say "read" in Japanese

• 読むよむJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe word for reading written text such as books, newspapers, or letters. Whenever 'read' refers to text, this is the one to use.
  ミルトンの作品さくひんを読よんだことがありますか。↗

  Have you ever read Milton's works?
• 見透かすみすかすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verb'Read' here has nothing to do with text: it means to read someone's true feelings, seeing through a lie or scheme. For reading a book or letter, this is not the word.
  ウッ、嘘うそをついているのを見透みすかされて、答こたえに困こまった。↗

  Uh-oh. He knew I was lying - saw right through me. I didn't know what to say.
• 見通すみとおすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verb'Read' here likewise means reading a person, not text: to read someone's feelings or intentions, see into their thoughts, or see through their plans. It overlaps closely with 見透かす, stressing intentions and plans.
  私は彼女かのじょの考かんがえを見通みとおした。↗

  I read anger in her face.

Use 「読む」 for reading text. 「見透かす」 and 「見通す」 both mean 'reading' a person — seeing through lies or plans to their true feelings and intentions — so the real choice is text versus people.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 読むよむto read
• 見透かすみすかすto see through (a lie, scheme, etc.)
• 紐解くひもとくto read (a book)
• 読み取るよみとるto read (calibration, tape, etc.)
• 見通すみとおすto see into (someone's thoughts)
• 読み替えるよみかえるto load (e.g. data on a computer)
• 読み込むよみこむto load (data)