读 (dú) is the basic, all-purpose verb for 'to read' and 'to study' (a subject), used broadly in everyday speech. It contrasts with 阅读 (yuè dú, HSK4), which is more formal and focuses on reading written material, and with 念 (niàn, HSK5), which means 'read aloud' or 'recite'. 读 can also mean 'attend school' (e.g., 读大学) and 'pronounce' (how a character is read).