読める
読める · ichidan verb
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 読める | 読めない |
| Polite | 読めます | 読めません |
| Past polite | 読めました | 読めませんでした |
| Past | 読めた | 読めなかった |
| Te-form | 読めて | 読めないで |
| Desire | 読めたい | 読めたくない |
| Potential | 読められるalso 読めれる | 読められないalso 読めれない |
| Passive | 読められる | 読められない |
| Causative | 読めさせる | 読めさせない |
| Causative passive | 読めさせられる | 読めさせられない |
| Volitional | 読めよう | |
| Polite volitional | 読めましょう | |
| Imperative | 読めろ | 読めるな |
| Conditional | 読めれば | 読めなければ |
| Tara conditional | 読めたら | 読めなかったら |
Meanings
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
can read; legible; decipherable
Describes the ability to read or the state of being readable, often used for text, handwriting, or codes.
This handwriting is too small to read.
Few people can decipher the code.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
reads well; readable (quality)
Used for the quality of a text: it is well-written, easy to read, or enjoyable to read.
This novel reads very well.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
understand; perceive; see through
Figurative use: to read a situation, someone's feelings, or hidden intentions.
I can read his true feelings from his expression.
I want to be able to read my opponent's moves.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉が読めるfor a text or script to be legible/readable
His handwriting is messy and hard to read.
- 〈人〉の心が読めるto be able to read someone's mind or feelings
I have trouble figuring out what she's thinking.
- 先が読めるto be able to foresee what will happen next
You can't predict what will happen in this industry.
- 〈言語〉が読めるto be able to read a language or script
He can read kanji.
Expressions
- 空気読めないunable to read the room; unable to pick up on the mood; socially clueless
- 空気が読めないunable to read the room; unable to pick up on the mood; socially oblivious
- 空気を読めないunable to read the room; unable to pick up on the mood; socially clueless
- 習わぬ経は読めぬyou can't do something if you don't know how to do it