Japanese word

書評

Pronunciation

Romajishohyō

Meaning

  • nounbook review

Example

新聞で書評を読みました。shin bun de sho hyō o yo mi ma shi ta

I read a book review in the newspaper.

Illustration for 書評 (book review)

More examples

私は新刊について短い書評を書きました。watashi wa shin kan ni tsu i te mijika i sho hyō o ka ki ma shi ta

I wrote a short book review of a new book.

Core concept

Describes a written assessment that helps readers judge a book's content and value before choosing to read it.

Common phrases

  • 書評を読むsho hyō o yo mu

    read a book review

  • 書評を書くsho hyō o ka ku

    write a book review

Similar words

批評hihyō: A reasoned evaluation of a work that considers its ideas, style, and quality.
評論hyōron: A written opinion that discusses a subject in a detailed and analytical way.
紹介shōkai: A presentation of a book's content and appeal that does not necessarily evaluate it.

Definition in Japanese

書物の内容や価値などを読み手に伝えるために論じた文章。sho motsu no nai yō ya ka chi na do o yo mi te ni tsuta e ru ta me ni ron ji ta bun shō

Word origin

The compound 書評 (shohyō) combines 書 (sho, "writing or book") and 評 (hyō, "evaluation"), linking a book with an assessment of it.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese newspapers, 書評 (shohyō) often appears as a cultural article, and the term can refer to the article itself rather than only to a critic's opinion.

Related words

  • 書評家shohyōkabook reviewernoun

Word lists with this word