je lis
The English phrase "I read" is translated into French as je lis.
The most basic and direct way to say "I read" in French is je lis. Depending on your specific meaning, other phrases may be more appropriate: use Je suis en train de lire to emphasize that you are currently engaged in the act of reading, Je feuillette to express a casual way of reading, such as flipping through a magazine or browsing a book or Je dévore to convey the idea of devouring a book due to great interest or enthusiasm. To express that you have read something in the past, you can use the phrase J'ai lu.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While je lis is the standard form, Je bouquine is an informal way of saying "I read" in French.
Did you know?
- The famous 'fleur de lis' symbol is named after the lily, but the word lis is shared with the verb for reading.
- While je lis is standard, the informal je bouquine comes from bouquin, an old word for a book that originally referred to leather-bound volumes.
- In the phrase je lis, the final 's' is silent in modern spoken French, even though it is written.
Examples in context
- Je lis le livre.I read the book.This sentence shows how to use je lis with a specific object.Tatoeba #5254225 by martin9, translation #989164 by Valodnieks
- Je lis, tu écris.I read, you write.This sentence demonstrates a contrast between two actions using je lis.Tatoeba #5254213 by martin9, translation #1442985 by Balamax
- Je lis des livres.I read books.This sentence shows how to use je lis with a plural object.Tatoeba #1811648 by Rovo, translation #1001623 by Nihonkage
- Au cours de ma formation, je lis beaucoup de livres.During my training, I read many books.
- Excusez-moi, je suis en train de lire ce document important.Excuse me, I am reading this important document.
- J'ai lu ce livre passionnant la semaine dernière.I read this fascinating book last week.
- Le dimanche, je ne fais rien d'autre que bouquiner.On Sundays, I do nothing but read.
- Dès que le dernier tome de cette série est sorti, je l'ai dévoré.As soon as the last volume of this series was released, I devoured it.
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are talking about their hobbies.
- HugoQu'est-ce que tu fais ?What are you doing?
- ChloéJe lis un magazine.I am reading a magazine.
- HugoC'est intéressant ?Is it interesting?
- ChloéOui, je lis cet article.Yes, I am reading this article.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, lis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
