1.
reading and writing; literacy
The ability to read and write, or the act of reading and writing. Often used to refer to basic literacy skills.
読み書きができる。
I can read and write.
子供に読み書きを教える。
I teach children reading and writing.
日本語の読み書きは漢字が多いので時間がかかる。
Japanese reading and writing takes time because there are so many kanji.
A compound of 読む (to read) and 書く (to write), referring to the fundamental literacy skills. Often used in educational contexts and discussions about language ability.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 読み書きができる: to be able to read and write
- 読み書きを習う: to learn reading and writing
- 読み書きそろばん: reading, writing, and arithmetic (the three Rs)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 識字: literacy — more formal and used in academic or policy contexts
- 文盲: illiteracy — inability to read and write