Translation guide
A careful, sustained analysis of a text, focusing on its language, structure, and details. In Japanese academic and literary contexts, this is often expressed through specific terms for textual analysis, but the concept is also conveyed through descriptive phrases.
The practice of examining a text's language, imagery, and structure in detail, often in an academic setting.
The most direct equivalent, meaning 'intensive reading' or 'perusal'. It implies careful, detailed reading, often used in educational contexts for analyzing texts.
A classroom activity where students examine a short text or passage in depth.
Means 'intensive reading practice', directly referring to the exercise of close reading.
今日は精読の練習として、この段落を分析します。
Today, as a close reading exercise, we'll analyze this paragraph.
精読 (intensive reading) is often contrasted with 多読 (extensive reading). While 精読 focuses on detailed analysis of a short text, 多読 involves reading large amounts for general understanding. In academic contexts, 精読 is the closer match to 'close reading'.
精読と多読はどちらも語学学習に重要だ。
Both intensive reading and extensive reading are important for language learning.
A close reading of this poem reveals hidden meanings.
Literally 'text analysis', this is common in academic literary studies and aligns well with the concept of close reading.
授業では、小説のテクスト分析を行った。
In class, we did a close reading of the novel.
Means 'work analysis' and is used broadly for analyzing literary works, including close reading.
彼の作品分析はいつも鋭い。
His close readings are always sharp.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'detailed reading'. It's less technical but can be used to explain the concept.
この文章には詳細な読みが必要だ。
This passage requires a close reading.
Literally 'scrutiny of a text', this can describe the act of examining a text closely in an educational context.
文章の精査を通じて、筆者の意図を探る。
Through close reading, we explore the author's intent.