🧐 看书 kàn shū vs 读书 dú shū – What’s the Difference?

🧐 看书 kàn shū vs 读书 dú shū – What’s the Difference?

Both can mean “reading a book,” right? But in Chinese, 看书 and 读书 are not exactly the same! 

Let’s look at how to use each one correctly. 👀📚

🔍  Breakdown

🟠 看书 (kàn shū) – to look at or casually read a book

  • Used when you read for fun, for interest, or to relax
  • Often means “look at a book” (like picture books, novels, etc.)
  • ✅ Common in spoken Chinese


🟢 读书 (dú shū) – to read books / to study

  • Used when talking about serious reading or studying
  • Can also mean “attend school” or “pursue education”
  • ✅ More formal – often used in written Chinese, speeches, or academic settings


💡 Tip: In daily conversation, you’ll hear 看书 more often. In formal or written contexts, 读书 is preferred.

💬  Easy Examples

✅ 看书 (kàn shū) – reading casually

Example 1:

  •  我喜欢在晚上看书。
    • Wǒ xǐhuan zài wǎnshang kàn shū.
    • 👉 I like to read books at night.
    • 📝 Casual, relaxing reading.


Example 2:

  • 他在看一本小说。
    • Tā zài kàn yì běn xiǎoshuō.
    • 👉 He’s reading a novel.
    • 📝 Light or fun reading.


Example 3: 

  • 小朋友在看图画书。
    • Xiǎo péngyou zài kàn túhuàshū.
    • 👉 The child is reading a picture book.
    • 📝 Flipping through or looking at pictures.


✅ 读书 (dú shū) – studying or reading seriously


Example 1:

  • 他正在读书，别打扰他。
    • Tā zhèngzài dúshū, bié dǎrǎo tā.
    • 👉 He’s studying/reading, don’t bother him.
    • 📝 Studying with focus.


Example 2:

  • 我每天早上读半小时的英文书。
    • Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang dú bàn xiǎoshí de Yīngwén shū.
    • 👉 I read English books for half an hour every morning.
    • 📝 Regular, structured reading.


Example 3:

  • 他在北京大学读书。
    • Tā zài Běijīng Dàxué dúshū.
    • 👉 He is studying at Peking University.
    • 📝 “读书” = attending school.

🎯  Interactive Practice

Choose the better word: 看书 (kàn shū) or 读书 (dúshū)

1. 周末我喜欢 ______，很放松。(Zhōumò wǒ xǐhuan ______, hěn fàngsōng.)

  • 👉 On weekends, I like reading; it’s relaxing.
  • ✅ The better answer: 看书 (kàn shū) - 🎯 Reading for fun.


2. 她在图书馆 ______, 准备期末考试。(Tā zài túshūguǎn ______, zhǔnbèi qīmò kǎoshì.)

  • 👉 She’s studying in the library for finals.
  • ✅ The better answer: 读书 (dúshū) - 🎯 Focused academic reading.


3. 那个小孩在 ______ 图画书。(Nà ge xiǎohái zài ______ túhuàshū.)

  • 👉 That child is looking at a picture book.
  • ✅ The better answer: 看 (kàn) - 🎯 Looking at illustrations.


4. 他在北京大学 ______。(Tā zài Běijīng Dàxué ______.)

  • 👉 He is studying at Peking University.
  • ✅ The better answer: 读书 (dúshū) - 🎯 Use 读书 to mean “attend school.”

🚀 Final Tip

  • 📌 看书 (kàn shū) – commonly used in spoken Chinese for casual reading, like novels, comics, or picture books.
  • 📌 读书 (dú shū) – often used in formal or written contexts, especially when talking about studying, school, or academic reading.


✍️ Try making two sentences:

- one using 看书 in a casual, daily-life situation

- one using 读书 in a more formal or academic context


    Practice makes progress! 加油！💪

    👉 Think this was tricky? More word pairs are waiting to mess with your brain — check them out here! 😄📘