Leer (en. Read)

/leˈeɾ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
verb
To interpret or decipher a written text.
I am going to read a very interesting book tonight.
Voy a leer un libro muy interesante esta noche.
To visually register a text, usually with the purpose of understanding it.
She will read the news in the newspaper.
Ella leera la noticia en el periódico.
To extract information from a written text.
I need to read the documentation before the meeting.
Necesito leer la documentación antes de la reunión.
To read a written text aloud.
The teacher read the poem in class.
El profesor leyó el poema en clase.

Etymology

From Latin 'legere', meaning 'to gather' or 'to choose'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to read between the lines
To understand a hidden meaning in a text.
leer entre líneas
to read the letter
To interpret a written message.
leer la carta
to be illiterate
To lack the ability to interpret written texts.
no saber leer

Related Words

reader
A person who reads.
lector
reading
The action or effect of reading.
lectura
book
A set of sheets of paper that form a written document.
libro

Slang Meanings

To read carelessly.
It doesn't matter what they say, I'm just going to read what I like.
No importa lo que digan, solo voy a leer lo que me gusta.
To read without understanding.
Sometimes I read a lot, but I don't understand anything.
A veces leo mucho, pero no entiendo nada.