Translation guide
How to express 'read through' in Japanese, covering reading from start to finish, skimming, and examining carefully.
To read something completely, from start to finish, without skipping.
The most direct equivalent, meaning to read something all the way through to the end. Often used for books or long texts.
To read something quickly to get the general idea or to check for specific points.
Means to read through something quickly or roughly. Very common for skimming.
契約書をざっと読んだ。
I read through the contract quickly.
To read something thoroughly, paying close attention to details, often to check for errors or understand deeply.
Means to read carefully and thoroughly, taking one's time. Implies deep engagement with the text.
この記事をじっくり読んでください。
Please read through this article carefully.
Both mean 'read through to the end', but 読み通す emphasizes the continuous action of reading without stopping, while 最後まで読む simply states that you reached the end. 読み通す can sound slightly more literary or determined.
彼は一気にその本を読み通した。
He read through the book in one sitting.
難しかったけど、最後まで読んだ。
It was difficult, but I read it through to the end.
The phrase 読むだけで means 'just by reading' and does not convey the meaning of reading something completely or thoroughly. Avoid literal translations like 'スルーを読む' which is nonsensical.
彼女はそのシリーズ全巻を一ヶ月で読み通した。
She read through the entire series in a month.
Uses 読み通す for reading a long series completely.
この本を一晩で読み通した。
I read through this book in one night.
Literally 'read to the end'. A very common and natural way to say you read something completely.
長いレポートを最後まで読んだ。
I read through the long report.
A more formal or literary term for reading through a text from beginning to end. Often used in academic or instructional contexts.
まずは教科書を通読してください。
First, please read through the textbook.
Literally 'flow reading', meaning to skim or read through without focusing on details.
新聞を流し読みした。
I skimmed through the newspaper.
Literally 'pass one's eyes through'. Means to look over or glance through a document. Very common in business contexts.
資料に目を通しておいてください。
Please read through the materials beforehand.
A formal term for intensive reading or perusal, often used in academic or literary analysis.
論文を精読する必要がある。
I need to read through the thesis carefully.
Means to read deeply into something, often implying repeated reading or analysis. Can also mean to load data in computing contexts.
この小説を何度も読み込んだ。
I read through this novel many times (and analyzed it).
You can understand just by reading.
You can understand just by reading.