披阅 (pī yuè) is a formal, literary verb meaning 'to read through carefully,' especially when referring to official documents, reports, or manuscripts. The character 披 (pī) originally means 'to spread open' or 'to unfold,' suggesting the act of opening and exposing something for examination; 阅 (yuè) means 'to read' or 'to inspect.' Together, they evoke the image of unfolding a document and reading it thoroughly—implying diligence, authority, and attention to detail.

This term is rarely used in everyday speech and appears mainly in written contexts: government announcements, historical texts, formal letters, or academic settings. It often carries connotations of high status or responsibility—e.g., a leader or senior official reviewing submissions. While modern Mandarin favors simpler verbs like 阅读 (yuèdú) or 审阅 (shěnyuè), 披阅 retains a classical, respectful tone and is still chosen for rhetorical weight in formal writing or speeches.