읽다(ik-da, ikda)
The active act of reading a text or book directly
When to use
Reading books, Reading newspapers, Student reading, Active action
The nuance
Used when the subject actively performs the reading action.
읽다 vs 읽히다: Active vs Passive Voice
읽다 (ik-da, ikda) · 읽히다 (ik-hi-da, ikhida)
읽다 means the subject actively reads a book or text, while 읽히다 expresses a passive or causative situation where someone or something is read by others.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
읽히다(ik-hi-da, ikhida)
Passive or causative meaning where someone or something is read by others
When to use
Book being read, Text being read, Read to a child, Passive situation
The nuance
Used when the subject is the object being read or when someone causes reading to happen.
Real-world examples
나는 매일 책을 읽는다.
na-neun mae-il chaek-eul ik-neun-da., na neun mae il chaek eul ik neun da.
The subject actively reads, so '읽다' is appropriate.
책이 잘 읽힌다.
chaek-i jal ik-hin-da., chaek i jal ik hin da.
Natural passive form expressing the book being read well.
나는 아이에게 책을 읽힌다.
na-neun a-i-e-ge chaek-eul ik-hin-da., na neun a i e ge chaek eul ik hin da.
Mixing active subject 'I' with passive '읽힌다' is awkward; should use '읽어 준다' instead.
선생님이 학생에게 글을 읽힌다.
seon-saeng-nim-i hak-saeng-e-ge geul-eul ik-hin-da., seon saeng nim i hak saeng e ge geul eul ik hin da.
Appropriate causative passive meaning where teacher causes students to read.
나는 신문을 읽힌다.
na-neun sin-mun-eul ik-hin-da., na neun sin mun eul ik hin da.
When subject reads directly, use '읽다'; '읽힌다' is inappropriate.
그 글은 쉽게 읽힌다.
geu geul-eun swip-ge ik-hin-da., geu geul eun swip ge ik hin da.
A natural passive sentence expressing the text is easily read.
아이에게 책을 읽는다.
a-i-e-ge chaek-eul ik-neun-da., a i e ge chaek eul ik neun da.
With indirect object 'to a child,' '읽어 준다' is more natural.
아이에게 책을 읽어 준다.
a-i-e-ge chaek-eul ik-eo jun-da., a i e ge chaek eul ik eo jun da.
Natural active act of reading a book to a child.
Quick quiz
Which sentence uses '읽다' actively?
다음 중 능동적으로 '읽다'를 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjungneung-dong-jeok-eu-ro'ik-da'reulsa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungneungdongjeokeuro'ikda'reulsayonghanmunjangeun?)Which sentence correctly uses '읽히다'?
'읽히다'를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?('ik-hi-da'reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, 'ikhida'reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)What does '아이에게 책을 읽히다' mean?
'아이에게 책을 읽히다'의 의미는?('a-i-e-gechaek-eulik-hi-da'uiui-mi-neun?, 'aiegechaekeulikhida'uiuimineun?)
What does it mean?
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