leer
/leˈeɾ/
To read in Spanish is leer.
The verb leer means to look at and interpret letters or other information. You can use the related noun lectura to refer to a reading or the act of reading, and the noun lector to describe a person who reads.
Meaning: to look at and interpret letters or other information (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rioplatense Spanish, the phrase Yo me leí can be used to mean 'I read' in the past tense.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The present participle (gerund) of leer is leyendo, meaning reading and the past participle is leído, meaning read. For the preterite (past) tense, the forms are leí (I), leíste (you singular), leyó (he/she/you formal), leímos (we), leísteis (you plural) and leyeron (they/you plural). For the imperfect tense, the forms are leía (I and he/she/you formal), leías (you singular), leíamos (we), leíais (you plural) and leían (they/you plural).
How do you pronounce it?
/leˈeɾ/
Did you know?
- English words like 'legend', 'legible' and 'lesson' are distant relatives of the Spanish verb leer.
- Spanish speakers often use the verb leer when talking about 'reading' a thermometer or a clock, whereas English speakers might say 'checking'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, 'reading the cards' or 'reading the lines of the hand' uses leer, linking the verb to divination and mysticism.
Examples in context
- Lo voy a leer.I'll read it.This sentence shows how to use leer to express reading an object.Tatoeba #2474755 by hayastan, translation #2247801 by CK
- No voy a leerlo.I won't read it.This sentence shows the negative use of leer with an object.Tatoeba #2857693 by Besatnias, translation #2271984 by CK
- Tom ya sabe leer.Tom already knows how to read.This sentence uses leer to describe the ability to read.Tatoeba #6404573 by diegohn, translation #2821355 by CK
- Él leyó el libro ayer.He read the book yesterday.
- Ella leyó el poema en voz alta.She read the poem aloud.
- Yo leí un artículo muy interesante.I read a very interesting article.
- Tú leías cuentos de hadas cuando eras niño.You used to read fairy tales when you were a child.
- 545 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are at a bookstore.
- JavierMaría, ¿quieres leer este libro?María, do you want to read this book?
- MaríaSí, parece muy interesante.Yes, it looks very interesting.
- JavierPodemos leer un poco ahora.We can read a little bit now.
- María¡Buena idea, Javier!Good idea, Javier!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “read” translations and entries leer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
