je lis
In French, je lis is the way to say "I am reading".
je lis is used to state that you are currently in the process of reading something.
Which one should you use?
While je lis is the standard way to express the action, you can use je suis en train de lire if you want to emphasize that you are actively in the middle of the act of reading.
How does it change in a sentence?
French does not have a separate continuous form like "am reading" to express an action in progress. The simple present je lis covers both "I read" and "I am reading". To express the past continuous "I was reading", you would use the imperfect tense je lisais.
Did you know?
- While je lis means 'I am reading', the French word for a 'reader' is lecteur, which is also the word used for a 'DVD player' or 'CD player'.
- If you want to say you are 'right in the middle of reading', you can use the phrase je suis en train de lire. This literally translates to 'I am in the train of reading'.
- In French, the act of reading can be expressed through the noun lecture, which sounds like 'lecture' in English but simply means 'the reading' of a text.
Examples in context
- Je lis le livre.I am reading the book.This sentence shows how to use je lis with a specific object.Tatoeba #5254225 by martin9, translation #2803374 by Deerhound
- Je lis du persan.I am reading Persian.This sentence shows how to use je lis with a language.Tatoeba #1460639 by sacredceltic, translation #1460055 by piksea
- Je lis une lettre.I am reading a letter.Tatoeba #3759147 by sacredceltic, translation #1872698 by Asma
- Je suis en train de lire un livre intéressant.I am reading an interesting book.
- Je lis depuis une heure.I have been reading for an hour.
- Je lis des romans policiers.I read crime novels.
- Je lis en ce moment.I am reading right now.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma sees Nathan in the living room with a book.
- NathanEmma, je lis un livre ici.Emma, I am reading a book here.
- EmmaC'est un bon livre, Nathan ?Is it a good book, Nathan?
- NathanOui, je lis une histoire passionnante.Yes, I am reading an exciting story.
- EmmaProfite bien de ta lecture.Enjoy your reading.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
