leído
/lay-EE-doh/
read
As a past participle, leído means 'read,' often used to indicate that a text has been consumed.
📝 In Action
He leído ese informe tres veces.
A1I have read that report three times.
Ellos habían leído el contrato antes de firmar.
B1They had read the contract before signing.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Perfect Tenses
Use 'leído' after a conjugated form of 'haber' (to have) to describe an action that is finished: 'Hemos leído' (We have read).
The Accent Mark
The accent on the 'i' (leído) is necessary to keep the 'e' and 'i' as two separate, strong syllables, unlike most other '-ido' participles.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Haber' and 'Ser/Estar'
Mistake: "Soy leído (I am read)."
Correction: Use 'He leído' (I have read) for the action. 'Soy/Estoy leído' is only correct when using 'leído' as an adjective (meaning well-read).
⭐ Usage Tips
Always Masculine Singular in Perfect Tenses
When used with 'haber' (He leído, Hemos leído), 'leído' never changes its form, regardless of who read or what was read.
When used as an adjective, leído means 'well-read' or 'knowledgeable,' describing someone who has gained wisdom from reading many books.
📝 In Action
Es una mujer muy leída; siempre tiene algo interesante que decir.
B1She is a very well-read woman; she always has something interesting to say.
Los estudiantes más leídos destacaron en el debate.
C1The most learned students stood out in the debate.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'leído' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'leído' (masculine singular), 'leída' (feminine singular), 'leídos' (masculine plural), 'leídas' (feminine plural).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Ser'
This adjective usually describes a permanent quality or characteristic, so you should use the verb 'ser' (to be) with it: 'Mi profesor es leído' (My professor is well-read).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: leído
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'leído' as an adjective (describing a quality)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'leído' spelled with an accent mark?
The accent mark is there to ensure the 'i' is pronounced strongly and separately from the 'e' (le-Í-do), preventing the two vowels from blending into a single sound. This pattern happens in a few other past participles like 'traído' and 'caído'.
How is 'leído' different from 'leyendo'?
'Leído' is the past participle used for finished actions ('I have read'). 'Leyendo' is the gerund, used for ongoing actions ('I am reading').