What does 既読, きどく, Kidoku mean?

When you send messages to your friends through LINE and get a reply from them, you will see two Kanjis right next to your message.

Andy

Does it mean read??

Masa

You’re right! 既読(きどく) means already read your messages.

既読(きどく) = Already read.

既(き) = already, previsously
読(どく) = read

Andy

In a conversation, do you say “既読(きどく)する？”

Masa

Yes, both “既読(きどく)する” and “既読(きどく)を付(つ)ける” are fine.

Andy

Do you use this word only for LINE?

Masa

No. You can use this word for social media messages like Instagram and messenger.

The example sentences below will make you understand better.

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

・既読(きどく)する。
I have read (someone’s messages.)

・彼(かれ)からのラインに既読(きどく)を付(つ)ける。
　I marked as read on his LINE message.

・友達(ともだち)からのラインに既読(きどく)を付(つ)けたくない。
　I do not want to mark as read on LINE messages from my friends.

・間違(まちが)って既読(きどく)を付(つ)けてしまった。
I accidentally marked it as read on the message.

・既読(きどく)を付(つ)けないでラインを見(み)る方法(ほうほう)がある。
　There is a way to check LINE messages without marking them as read.

・彼女(かのじょ)に既読(きどく)スルーされた。
　She left me on read.

既読(きどく)スルー means “leaving someone on read”.
This word is Japanese slang that is frequently used in daily conversations. I will explain this phrase in the next blog.

じゃあね！