(きどく)

きどく
noun, no-adjective
read (message status)
communication
1. read, already read (message status)
Indicates that a message has been read by the recipient. Originally a feature of LINE messaging app, now widely used across various messaging platforms.
メッセージ既読(きどく)なった
The message has been read.
It shows as read but there's no reply.
既読(きどく)スルーされた
I was left on read.
既読(きどく)スルー = read and ignored
既読(きどく)無視(むし)やめてほしい
I wish they would stop ignoring my messages after reading them.

Composition: () (already) + (どく) (reading) = already read

Origin: This term became widely used with the LINE messaging app's read receipt feature, which shows "既読(きどく)" when a message has been seen.

Common expressions

  • 既読(きどく)つく - to show as read
  • 既読(きどく)なる - to become read (status changes to read)
  • 既読(きどく)スルー - to leave someone on read, to read but not reply
  • 既読(きどく)無視(むし) - to ignore after reading

Similar words

Cultural note: The 既読(きどく)スルー phenomenon has become a social issue in Japan, especially among young people, as ignoring messages after reading them is seen as rude or can cause anxiety about the relationship.