lunettes de lecture
/ly.nɛt də lɛk.tyʁ/feminine, plural
The English phrase 'reading glasses' is translated into French as lunettes de lecture.
lunettes de lecture is a feminine plural noun used to describe spectacles specifically intended to deal with the effects of presbyopia.
Meaning: spectacles to deal with the effects of presbyopia (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lunettes (glasses/spectacles) and de lecture (of reading).
Which one should you use?
While lunettes de lecture refers specifically to reading glasses, you should use lunettes de vue if you are referring to the more general term for prescription eyeglasses used for distance or general vision correction.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the expression for reading glasses is lunettes de lecture.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because lunettes is a plural noun, you use the phrase une paire de lunettes de lecture to express a single pair of reading glasses.
How do you pronounce it?
/ly.nɛt də lɛk.tyʁ/
Did you know?
- The word lunettes is actually a diminutive, meaning it literally translates to 'little moons' because of the crescent-like shape of the lenses. This tiny morphological detail is what gives the word its plural form.
- If you use the phrase une lunette instead of des lunettes, you are no longer talking about eyewear. In French, a lunette in the singular form often refers to a small window, an opening, or even a type of small specialized camera lens.
- If you are in a pharmacy or an optician's shop, you might ask for des lunettes de près instead of lunettes de lecture. While 'de lecture' is grammatically perfect, the shorter 'de près' (for near) is the standard way to distinguish them from 'de loin' (for far).
Examples in context
- Ce sont mes lunettes de lecture.These are my reading glasses.This sentence is useful for identifying your lunettes de lecture.Tatoeba #6461309 by Aiji, translation #2959097 by sharptoothed
- Où est-ce que j'ai mis mes lunettes de lecture ?Where did I put my reading glasses?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of your lunettes de lecture.Tatoeba #8418327 by Aiji, translation #2895275 by AlanF_US
- N'oublie pas tes lunettes de lecture.Don't forget your reading glasses.This sentence is useful for reminding someone to bring their lunettes de lecture.Tatoeba #11931758 by LdjuherTaqvaylit, translation #11931762 by LdjuherTaqvaylit
- Tu sais où j'peux acheter des lunettes pour lire?Do you know where I can buy glasses for reading?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are in their living room.
- LéaTu as vu mes lunettes de lecture ?Have you seen my reading glasses?
- GabrielElles sont sur la table basse.They are on the coffee table.
- LéaAh, merci Gabriel, je les cherchais.Ah, thanks Gabriel, I was looking for them.
- GabrielDe rien, Léa.You're welcome, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reading glasses” translations and entries lunettes de lecture, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lecture, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
