Inklingo

How to Say "read" in Spanish

English → Spanish

leyó

verbA1
Use this for a past action of reading completed by a singular subject (he, she, it, or formal you).

Examples

Ella leyó el periódico esta mañana.

She read the newspaper this morning.

leído

participleA1
This form is used as part of compound tenses, specifically with the auxiliary verb 'haber' (to have) to indicate an action completed in the past.

Examples

He leído ese informe tres veces.

I have read that report three times.

lea

LEY-ah/ˈle.a/

verbA2formal
Use this as a formal command directed at 'usted' (formal you), instructing them to read something.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a person sitting comfortably, holding an open book in their hands and concentrating on the pages.

Examples

Por favor, Señor, lea este contrato con atención.

Please, Sir, read this contract carefully (formal command).

Es importante que ella lea las noticias todos los días.

It is important that she read (or reads) the news every day.

Ojalá yo lea ese libro antes de la reunión.

I hope I read that book before the meeting.

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...).

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.'

decía

verbB1
This imperfect tense is used when describing what text was displayed or written on something in the past, or when 'read' means 'to convey a message'.

Examples

Su expresión no decía nada, pero yo sabía que estaba enojado.

His expression said nothing (meant nothing), but I knew he was angry.

Past Tense vs. Compound Tenses

Learners often confuse the simple past 'leyó' with the past participle 'leído'. Remember that 'leído' is almost always used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses (like 'have read'), while 'leyó' stands alone as the simple past tense (like 'read').

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