leer
/leh-EHR/
to read
The most common meaning of 'leer' is 'to read' books, articles, or signs.
📝 In Action
Leo un libro todas las noches antes de dormir.
A1I read a book every night before sleeping.
¿Has leído el correo electrónico que te envié?
A2Have you read the email I sent you?
El profesor nos pidió que leyéramos el capítulo cinco para mañana.
B1The teacher asked us to read chapter five for tomorrow.
No puedo leer sin mis gafas.
A1I can't read without my glasses.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'y' spelling change
When the 'i' of a verb ending comes between two vowels, it changes to a 'y'. This happens in 'leer' to make it easier to say. Notice 'leyó' (he read) and 'leyendo' (reading).
The accent mark in 'leído'
The past form 'leído' (read) needs an accent mark on the 'i'. This keeps the stress on the right syllable and separates the 'e' and 'i' sounds.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'y'
Mistake: "El niño leió el cuento."
Correction: El niño leyó el cuento. Remember, when the 'i' is between two vowels (e-i-o), it changes to 'y' for pronunciation.
Missing accent on 'leí'
Mistake: "Yo lei el libro ayer."
Correction: Yo leí el libro ayer. The accent on the 'í' is important to show that 'I' did the action in the past.
⭐ Usage Tips
More than just books
You can use 'leer' for almost anything with words or symbols: 'leer las señales' (to read the signs), 'leer la hora' (to read the time), or 'leer la música' (to read music).
'Leer' can also mean 'to interpret' intentions, data, or a situation.
leer(Verb)
to interpret
?a situation, data, intentions
to read
?as in 'to read the room' or 'to read someone's mind'
,to understand
?someone's expression or body language
📝 In Action
Es un buen político porque sabe leer al público.
B2He's a good politician because he knows how to read the public.
El detective leyó el miedo en sus ojos.
B2The detective read the fear in his eyes.
Intento leer sus intenciones, pero es muy reservado.
C1I'm trying to read his intentions, but he's very reserved.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Reading
This meaning is just like in English when you 'read a room' or 'read someone's expression.' It's about understanding something that isn't written down in words.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: leer
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'leer' in a figurative way (to interpret a situation)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'leer' sometimes change to 'leyó' or 'leyendo' with a 'y'?
It's all about sound! In Spanish, when the letter 'i' gets squeezed between two other vowels (like in l-e-i-ó), it changes to a 'y' to make it easier and more natural to say. It helps avoid a clumsy vowel sound.
Is 'leer' a regular verb?
It's mostly regular, as it follows the standard pattern for '-er' verbs. However, it has those small spelling changes (like 'i' to 'y') in some forms to keep the pronunciation right. So, it's considered regular but with a predictable spelling change.