lee esto
/lee esto/from spelling rules
To say "read this" in Spanish, you use lee esto.
This phrase is an imperative used to tell someone to read a specific piece of text.
What does it mean word for word?
Lee is the imperative form of the verb leer (to read), and esto is the neuter demonstrative pronoun meaning "this".
Which one should you use?
lee esto is the informal singular form, while lea esto is the formal singular form. To address a group of people, use the plural form lean esto.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase lee esto uses the informal tú imperative. You should use lea esto when speaking to someone formally using usted, or use the plural imperative lean esto when telling a group of people to read this.
How do you pronounce it?
/lee esto/
Did you know?
- The word leer is closely related to the Latin legere, which originally meant 'to gather' or 'to collect', suggesting that reading was seen as gathering information.
- If you were to use the formal lea esto with a close friend, it might actually sound like you are joking or being sarcastically distant.
- In Spanish, the verb leer is a palindrome, meaning it is spelled the same way forward and backward.
Examples in context
- Lee esto ahorita mismo.Read this right away.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that the reading should happen immediately using lee esto.Tatoeba #4505722 by cueyayotl, translation #3496899 by CK
- Lee esto.Read this.This sentence is a direct way to use lee esto.Tatoeba #4505706 by cueyayotl, translation #1098659 by cntrational
- Lee esto ahora.Read this now.This sentence is useful for specifying the timing of the action using lee esto.Tatoeba #4505721 by cueyayotl, translation #1841179 by CK
- Lee esto para obtener más información sobre el tema.Read this to get more information about the topic.
- ¡Chicos, lean esto para entender de qué se trata!Guys, read this to understand what it's about!
- Lea esto antes de tomar una decisión.Read this before making a decision.
- Señores, lean esto y hagan sus comentarios.Gentlemen, read this and provide your comments.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is showing María a message on his phone.
- DanielLee esto, María.Read this, María.
- María¿Qué dice?What does it say?
- DanielEs un mensaje importante para ti.It is an important message for you.
- MaríaGracias por avisarme, Daniel.Thanks for letting me know, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
