อ่านหนังสือ

Explanation

อ่านหนังสือ consists of อ่าน “to read” and หนังสือ “book.” Besides its literal meaning of reading a book, it very commonly means “to study” in school- or exam-related contexts. In this use, it can refer to the broader activity of studying independently with textbooks, notes, or similar materials. The expression อ่านหนังสือสอบ makes the exam-preparation meaning explicit.

Usage

It is used when talking about reading for pleasure or saying that someone is currently reading a book. It is also common when students discuss homework, review, preparation, or studying for exams. A parent may tell a child ไปอ่านหนังสือ to mean “Go study.”

Caution

Without context, อ่านหนังสือ may mean either “read a book” or “study.” Use อ่านหนังสือสอบ to clearly express studying for an exam, or name the material—such as อ่านนิยาย “read a novel”—to make the reading meaning clear. Also, เรียนหนังสือ usually refers to receiving an education or studying at school, so it is not always interchangeable with อ่านหนังสือ.

1 read a book synonyms

• อ่าน

  àan read

  อ่าน is the general verb “to read” and can be used with many kinds of written material. อ่านหนังสือ specifically refers to reading a book or books and can also describe reading as an activity.

2 study (by reading) synonyms

• ศึกษา

  sʉ̀ksǎa study

  ศึกษา means “to study” or “to investigate” and is more formal. อ่านหนังสือ is common in everyday conversation and often describes a student studying through textbooks or notes.

• เรียน

  rian learn

  เรียน covers learning more broadly, including taking classes, studying a subject, or attending school. อ่านหนังสือ usually suggests independent study centered on reading materials, rather than attending a class or being enrolled in school.