편지을 읽다

You use this phrase just like you would in English. You take the noun 편지, add the object marker 를, and finish with the verb 읽다. If you want to say you are currently reading it, you use 읽고 있어요. If you finished it, use 읽었어요. It is a very versatile collocation. You can use it with friends, family, or even in books.

Use this when you receive a physical letter in the mail. It is perfect for talking about fan mail for K-pop idols. You might use it when finding an old love letter in a drawer. It is also common during Parents' Day in Korea. Children often write letters, and parents happily say they are reading them. It carries a warm, nostalgic vibe in most conversations.

Avoid using this for quick digital text messages or DMs. For those, Koreans usually say 메시지를 확인하다 (check a message). Using 편지 for a 2-word KakaoTalk message sounds a bit too dramatic. Also, don't use it for reading a book or a newspaper. Those have their own specific nouns like 책 or 신문. It is strictly for correspondence between people.

In Korea, handwritten letters, or 손편지, are a big deal. They represent 진심 (sincerity). Even in the digital age, writing a letter by hand shows deep respect. Soldiers in the military especially cherish letters from home. For fans, writing a 편지 to their favorite celebrity is a standard way to show support. It is a culture that values the effort of the pen.

You will often hear 편지를 읽어 보다. This adds a nuance of 'reading through' or 'trying to read'. If you are reading a letter to someone else, you use 편지를 읽어 주다. For a very formal situation, like reading a letter at a wedding, you might use 편지를 낭독하다. This sounds much more official and poetic.