How to Say "reads" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “reads” is “lea” — use 'lea' when you are giving a command or expressing a wish that someone (formal 'you', he, she, or it) should perform the action of reading..
lea
LEY-ah/ˈle.a/
Examples
Por favor, Señor, lea este contrato con atención.
Please, Sir, read this contract carefully.
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.'
reza
/REH-sah//ˈresa/
Examples
El cartel reza: 'No pasar'.
The sign reads: 'Do not enter'.
Como reza el dicho, más vale tarde que nunca.
As the saying goes, better late than never.
La ley reza que todos somos iguales.
The law states that we are all equal.
Text that 'Prays'
It might seem weird, but in Spanish, we say a sign 'prays' (reza) to mean 'it reads' or 'it says'. Think of it as the text 'reciting' its message to you.
Confusing with 'leer'
Mistake: “El cartel lee 'Cuidado'.”
Correction: In Spanish, signs don't 'read' (leer) things; people do. Use 'reza' or 'dice' for the sign itself.
Command vs. Stated Text
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