lea
LEY-ah
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Por favor, Señor, lea este contrato con atención.
A2Please, Sir, read this contract carefully (formal command).
Es importante que ella lea las noticias todos los días.
B1It is important that she read (or reads) the news every day.
Ojalá yo lea ese libro antes de la reunión.
B2I hope I read that book before the meeting.
💡 Grammar Points
The Formal Command (Usted)
When you politely give an instruction to one person you address as 'Usted,' use 'lea.' This is the equivalent of the English imperative ('Read!').
Expressing Wishes and Necessity
'Lea' is the special verb form (the subjunctive) used after phrases that express desire, necessity, or doubt, such as 'Quiero que...' (I want that...) or 'Es necesario que...' (It is necessary that...).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up Formal and Informal Commands
Mistake: "Using 'lee' when addressing a boss or elder formally: 'Señora, lee esto.'"
Correction: Use 'lea' for formal commands: 'Señora, **lea** esto.' The 'tú' command is 'lee,' but the 'usted' command is 'lea.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Easy Subjunctive Tip
If you are talking about what 'I,' 'he,' 'she,' or 'Usted' should do, and there is a 'trigger' phrase like 'Es bueno que,' you need 'lea.' Think of it as the 'suggestion' form.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: lea
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'lea' as a formal command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'lea' the same as 'lee'?
No. 'Lee' is the simple present form ('He/she reads'), and the informal command ('Read!'). 'Lea' is the formal command ('You, sir/ma'am, read') and the special verb form (subjunctive) used after expressions of desire or doubt.
Why does 'leer' change from 'le-' to 'ley-' in some forms?
In some past tenses and derived forms (like the gerund 'leyendo' or the preterite 'leyó'), the 'i' vowel sound that would normally appear between two other vowels changes to a 'y' sound to make the word flow better phonetically in Spanish.