French · Everyday Verbs
"to read" in French: lire
lire
To read in French is lire. Je lis un roman means I'm reading a novel. Tu lis quoi en ce moment ? is a common chat question.
Beach afternoon
Je lis un polar sous le parasol.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce lire
Say it
leer
/liʁ/
Lire is leer. Je lis is zhuh lee. Il lit is eel lee. Past participle lu is lew.
"to read" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| lire | to read Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| je lis / tu lis / il lit | I read / you read / he reads Present forms. | Present forms. |
| lire à voix haute | to read aloud Class and kids. | Class and kids. |
| j'ai lu | I read / I've read Past. | Past. |
How to use lire in real life
- 1Beach afternoon
Je lis un polar sous le parasol.
I'm reading a crime novel under the umbrella.
Je lis.
- 2Commute chat
Tu lis quoi en ce moment ?
What are you reading these days?
Tu lis.
- 3Kids' bedtime
Il lit la même histoire tous les soirs.
He reads the same story every night.
Il lit.
Mistakes English speakers make with lire
Incorrect: Je read un livre.
Correct: Je lis un livre.
Use lis from lire.
Incorrect: J'ai lir ce livre.
Correct: J'ai lu ce livre.
Past participle is lu.
Good to know
French bookshops still matter culturally; asking Tu lis quoi ? is normal small talk among friends who read.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Browsing in a bookshop
ChatPal
Tu lis des essais ou des romans ?
Do you read essays or novels?
You
Surtout des romans. Là je lis une autrice belge.
Mostly novels. Right now I'm reading a Belgian author.
ChatPal
Tu me prêtes après ?
Will you lend it to me after?
You
Bien sûr.
Of course.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to read" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to read" in French
How do you say to read in French?
Lire.
How do you say I'm reading?
Je lis.
What is the past participle?
Lu — j'ai lu.
How do you say what are you reading?
Tu lis quoi ?
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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