Translation guide
Describes someone who reads a lot and with great enthusiasm. Japanese often uses specific compound nouns or descriptive phrases rather than a single adjective.
A standard noun meaning 'a person who loves reading' or 'a great reader'. It implies a cultivated habit and is neutral in tone.
She is an avid reader, reading three books a week.
Literally 'bookworm'. A common, slightly informal term for someone who is always reading. Carries a warm, sometimes self-deprecating nuance.
My son is a bookworm; he reads all day on his days off.
Means 'avid reader' or 'lover of books'. Slightly more formal than 読書家, often used in literary contexts.
He is an avid reader of mystery novels.
A straightforward descriptive phrase: 'a person who likes reading'. Natural and easy to use, but less concise than a single noun.
For an avid reader, this library is heaven.
Literally 'a person who often reads books'. Simple and clear, but lacks the nuance of enthusiasm.
I often see avid readers on the train.
To characterize a person's reading habits in a sentence, often using adjectives or descriptive phrases.
Means 'reads a lot' (literally 'reading volume is large'). A natural way to describe someone who reads extensively.
He is an avid reader, reading over 100 books a year.
A simple verb phrase meaning 'reads books often'. Commonly used in casual conversation.
I've been an avid reader since I was a child.
An adjective meaning 'enthusiastic about reading'. Slightly formal and less common in everyday speech.
読書家 is a neutral, respectable term for a well-read person. 本の虫 is more colloquial and can imply someone who reads obsessively, sometimes to the detriment of other activities. Both are positive in most contexts.
The English phrase 'avid reader' does not have a direct adjective-noun equivalent in Japanese. Avoid literal translations like 熱心な読者 (which sounds like 'enthusiastic subscriber' or 'devoted reader of a particular publication'). Use the nouns or patterns above instead.
She's been an avid reader since childhood.
My grandfather is an avid reader of history books.
Avid readers among the students are given a special library card.