gafas de lectura
/ɡafas de leɡtuɾa/from spelling rulesfeminine, plural
The English phrase "reading glasses" is translated into Spanish as gafas de lectura. If unsure, use gafas de lectura. Wiktionary also lists anteojos para leer and gafas para leer.
Meaning: spectacles to deal with the effects of presbyopia (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gafas de lectura | /ɡafas de leɡtuɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, plural |
| anteojos para leer | /anteoxos paɾa leeɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, plural |
| gafas para leer | /ɡafas paɾa leeɾ/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, plural |
This term refers to spectacles used to deal with the effects of presbyopia. You can also use the descriptive phrase gafas para leer de cerca to express the same idea.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase gafas de lectura, the preposition de is used to indicate the purpose of the glasses, which literally translates to "glasses of reading".
Which one should you use?
The forms provided vary by gender and noun choice. gafas de lectura and gafas para leer are feminine plural, while anteojos para leer is masculine plural.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase anteojos de lectura is commonly used to express reading glasses in Argentina and Uruguay.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡafas de leɡtuɾa/
Did you know?
- The term gafas might be a tribute to a 12th-century Andalusian ophthalmologist named Al-Ghafiqi.
Examples in context
- Estos son mis anteojos para leer.These are my reading glasses.This sentence shows how to use anteojos para leer to identify one's own reading glasses.Tatoeba #3019841 by Tono, translation #2959097 by sharptoothed
- Necesito unas gafas de lectura para ver el menú.I need some reading glasses to see the menu.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are at a restaurant.
- ElenaNo veo bien la carta sin mis gafas de lectura.I can't see the menu well without my reading glasses.
- Mateo¿Quieres que te lea la especialidad de hoy?Do you want me to read today's special to you?
- ElenaSí, por favor, que no veo nada.Yes, please, because I can't see anything.
- MateoClaro, Elena, yo te ayudo con la cuenta también.Of course, Elena, I will help you with the bill too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reading glasses” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anteojos, de, gafas, lectura, leer, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
