lego
[ˈɫɛ.ɡoː]
The English phrase "I read" is translated into Latin as lego.
lego is the first-person singular present tense form of the verb meaning to look at and understand written words. Depending on the context, it can also mean "I gather" or "I collect".
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of this verb is legere. In Latin, the pronoun ego (I) is often omitted because the ending -o in lego already indicates that the subject is the first-person singular.
Did you know?
- The verb lego is actually a metaphor for gathering or picking things up. The sense of 'reading' evolved from the physical act of picking or gathering individual letters from a page.
- The way Latin uses lego is similar to how Russian uses the verb разбира́ть to describe 'reading' as a process of 'disassembling' or 'sorting through' text.
Examples in context
- Dum ludis, ego lego.While you play, I read.This sentence is useful for showing a contrast between playing and reading.Tatoeba #5163187 by alexmarcelo, translation #5165619 by CarpeLanam
- Librum lego dum edo.I read a book while I eat.This sentence is useful for describing an action performed while eating.Tatoeba #8503090 by alexmarcelo, translation #1205615 by AlanF_US
- Ego lego, tu scribis.I read, you write.This sentence is useful for contrasting the actions of reading and writing.Tatoeba #1442983 by alexmarcelo, translation #1442985 by Balamax
- Legō.I am reading.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucia and Quintus are in a library.
- LuciaQuid agis, Quinte?What are you doing, Quintus?
- QuintusHunc librum lego.I read this book.
- LuciaEstne liber bonus?Is the book good?
- QuintusIta, lego cum gaudio.Yes, I read with joy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lego, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lego, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
