לקרוא
likro
The English verb 'read' is translated into Hebrew as לקרוא (likro).
לקרוא means to look at and interpret letters or other information. It is a polysemous verb, meaning it can also mean 'to call' or 'to summon' depending on the context.
Meaning: to look at and interpret letters or other information (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
While לקרוא is the infinitive form, the present tense masculine singular form is קורא.
How do you pronounce it?
likro
Did you know?
- In ancient Hebrew, the word לקרוא primarily meant 'to proclaim' or 'to call out'. The meaning 'to read' only became common later as the practice of reading texts aloud to an audience was the standard.
- In a traditional synagogue setting, the person who 'reads' the Torah is not actually reading from memory or sight alone but is often guided by a 'pointer' called a 'Yad' to keep their place.
- Hebrew uses the same root for 'reading' as it does for 'shouting'. This creates a linguistic link between the quiet act of reading and the loud act of calling someone's name.
Examples in context
- אין לי זמן לקרוא.I don't have time to read.This sentence shows how to express having no time for the action of לקרוא.Tatoeba #1391118 by MrShoval, translation #322103 by CK
- טרחת לקרוא את זה?Did you bother to read it?This sentence is used to ask if someone took the effort to לקרוא.Tatoeba #6012970 by fekundulo, translation #4014980 by CK
- טום לא יודע לקרוא.Tom can't read.This sentence illustrates the inability to לקרוא.Tatoeba #1877326 by MrShoval, translation #1877236 by Spamster
- הילדה יושבת וקוראת ספר.The girl is sitting and reading a book.
- אני סיימתי לקרוא את הספר הזה ביום אחד!I finished reading this book in one day!
- 261 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem and Daniel are in a library.
- רוטם Rotemדניאל, אתה רוצה לקרוא את הספר הזה?Daniel, ata rotze likro et hassefer haze?Daniel, do you want to read this book?
- דניאל Danielכן, נראה מעניין מאוד.Ken, nir'e meanyan me'od.Yes, it looks very interesting.
- רוטם Rotemאני אשאל אותו מהספרייה בשבילנו.Ani eshal oto mehasifriya bishvilnu.I will borrow it from the library for us.
- דניאל Danielתודה, אני אוהב לקרוא לפני השינה.Toda, ani ohev likro lifnei hashena.Thanks, I love to read before bed.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
