Korean Dictionary
How to say "Reading" in Korean
“Reading” in Korean is 독서 (pronounced "Dokseo").
독서
Dokseo
Usage & Context
Reading is a popular leisure activity in Korea. Korean bookstores and libraries are well-stocked with books on all topics.
Example Sentence
저는 취미로 독서를 해요.
I read books as a hobby.
How to use 독서 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Reading” is 독서, romanized as Dokseo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 독서.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'dok-seo' — 'dok' rhymes with 'dock' (unreleased k), 'seo' like 'suh'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Casual (반말)
책 읽기
chaek ilkgi
literally 'book reading' — more casual and common in daily speech than 독서
More Example Sentences
Korean saying
가을은 독서의 계절이에요.
Autumn is the season for reading.
sharing a hobby
독서 모임에 참여하고 있어요.
I'm part of a book club.
describing nightly routine
잠자기 전에 책 읽는 습관이 있어요.
I have a habit of reading before bed.
Cultural Context
독서 is a prestigious leisure activity in Korea, promoted by the cultural saying '가을은 독서의 계절' (autumn is the season of reading). Libraries (도서관) are well-funded, and '독서 모임' (book clubs) are popular. In casual speech Koreans often say '책 읽다' (to read books) rather than '독서하다'. Annual national reading surveys are closely watched, with concerns about declining rates.
Editorial note
We review entries like 독서 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
독서를 좋아해요.
I like reading.
독서가 취미예요.
Reading is my hobby.
책 읽는 중이에요.
I'm reading a book.
Related Expressions
책
chaek
book
도서관
doseogwan
library
서점
seojeom
bookstore
독서 모임
dokseo moim
book club
More Hobbies & Leisure Words
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