German word

lesen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈleːzən/

Meaning

  • verbread

Example

Er liest jeden Tag die Nachrichten.

He reads the news every day.

Illustration for lesen (read)

More examples

Kannst du den Text laut lesen?

Can you read the text aloud?

Core concept

Eyes move across a page while meaning forms in the mind.

Common phrases

  • einen Text lesen

    read a text

  • ein Buch lesen

    read a book

  • laut lesen

    read aloud

Similar words

vorlesen: Read a text aloud so others can hear it.
durchlesen: Read a text or book from beginning to end.
überfliegen: Skim a text to grasp its general content.
nachschlagen: Consult a reference source to find a needed word or fact.

Definition in German

Geschriebene oder gedruckte Texte mit den Augen erfassen und ihren Inhalt verstehen.

Word origin

German lesen descends through Middle High German lesen from Proto-Germanic *lesaną and is related to English read.

Usage tips

  • Lesen is irregular: the present stem changes from e to ie in liest, and its past participle is gelesen.

Related words

  • Leserreadernoun
  • lesbarreadableadjective

Word lists with this word