leggere
/ˈlɛd.d͡ʒe.re/
To read in Italian is leggere.
The phrase means to look at and understand written or printed words.
Which one should you use?
While leggere is the standard term, you might use sfogliare to specifically mean flipping through or leafing through a text or darci un'occhiata to indicate a quick read or a skim.
How does it change in a sentence?
leggere is a regular second-conjugation verb ending in -ere. Its present tense conjugation follows the pattern of regular -ere verbs: leggo, leggi, legge, leggiamo, leggete and leggono.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of leggere is /ˈlɛd.dʒe.re/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word leggere also means 'light' when referring to weight. For example, you can describe a feather or a light meal as leggero.
- The English word 'legend' and the Italian verb leggere share a common ancestor in the Latin 'legere', which originally meant to gather or collect.
- The word leggenda, meaning 'legend', comes from leggere because legends were originally stories that were read aloud to the public.
Examples in context
- A me piace leggere.I like to read.This sentence is useful for seeing how to express a personal preference with leggere.Tatoeba #2795473 by Guybrush88, translation #2164515 by CM
- Tom sa già leggere.Tom already knows how to read.This sentence shows how to express knowing a skill using leggere.Tatoeba #2823214 by Guybrush88, translation #2821355 by CK
- A lei piace leggere.She likes to read.This sentence shows how to express someone else's preference with leggere.Tatoeba #4001578 by Guybrush88, translation #456731 by lukaszpp
- Vorrei leggere il tuo libro.I would like to read your book.
- Dobbiamo consultare il rapporto di fine anno.We need to read the end-of-year report.
- Dovrei esaminare attentamente questo contratto prima di firmarlo.I should read this contract carefully before signing it.
- Mi piace leggere i classici della letteratura italiana.I enjoy reading Italian literary classics.
- Consulto sempre le istruzioni prima di assemblare un mobile nuovo.I always read the instructions before assembling new furniture.
- Stavo leggicchiando un fumetto sul divano.I was casually reading a comic book on the couch.
- Ho leggicchiato il tuo diario segreto quando non c'eri.I skimmed through your secret diary when you weren't around.
- Mentre aspettavo, ho sfogliato una rivista nella sala d'attesa.While waiting, I flipped through a magazine in the waiting room.
- Ogni sera mi piace sfogliare un libro di poesie prima di addormentarmi.Every night, I like to flip through a book of poetry before falling asleep.
- Ho solo dato un'occhiata al giornale questa mattina.I just took a look at the newspaper this morning.
- Hai dato un'occhiata al nuovo romanzo di questo autore?Have you had a look at this author's new novel?
- 621 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are at a library.
- ChiaraMatteo, cosa vuoi leggere oggi?Matteo, what do you want to read today?
- MatteoVorrei leggere un libro di storia.I would like to read a history book.
- ChiaraPosso leggere questo con te?Can I read this with you?
- MatteoCertamente, Chiara, siediti pure.Certainly, Chiara, please sit down.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry leggere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leggere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
