1.
must-read; required reading; essential reading
Something that should definitely be read. Used to recommend books, articles, or other texts as essential or highly worthwhile.
Combines 必 (must/necessarily) and 読 (read), literally meaning "must read." Functions primarily as a noun modifier, often appearing before 書 (book) or 本.
Common collocations
- 必読書: must-read book
- 必読の一冊: a must-read volume
- 必読文献: required reading (academic)
- 必読リスト: required reading list
Compounds
The 必〜 pattern appears in many similar compounds meaning "must-X":
- 必見: must-see
- 必修: required (course/subject)
- 必携: must-have; indispensable