German word

vorlesen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌleːzn̩/

Meaning

  • verbread aloud

Example

Ich lese meiner Tochter ein Buch vor.

I am reading a book aloud to my daughter.

Illustration for vorlesen (read aloud)

More examples

Die Autorin liest beim Festival eine Passage vor.

The author reads a passage aloud at the festival.

Core concept

A voice carries written words across a room to listeners.

Common phrases

  • einem Publikum vorlesen

    read aloud to an audience

  • ausdrucksvoll vorlesen

    read aloud with expression

  • eine Passage vorlesen

    read a passage aloud

Similar words

lesen: Reading written text to understand its meaning.
erzählen: Relating experiences or events aloud in one's own words.
vortragen: Delivering prepared content or text aloud before an audience.
aufsagen: Reciting a memorized poem or passage exactly as learned.

Definition in German

Laut aus einem Text lesen, damit andere zuhören können.

Word origin

Vorlesen combines vor, meaning forward or in front, with lesen, meaning read, forming the verb for reading so others can hear.

Usage tips

  • Vorlesen commonly takes a dative listener and an accusative text, as in jemandem ein Buch vorlesen, and its prefix separates in finite clauses.

Other meanings

  • read toverb

Related words

  • Vorlesunglecturenoun
  • Vorleseabendreading eveningnoun

Word lists with this word