Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to read" in Italian: leggere
leggere
To read in Italian is leggere (LED-jeh-reh). Present forms include io leggo, tu leggi, lui/lei legge. Leggo un libro is I read/am reading a book. Past participle is letto.
Train seat
In treno leggo sempre un romanzo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce leggere
Say it
LED-jeh-reh
/ˈled.dʒe.re/
Leggere stresses LED: LED-jeh-reh. Soft gg like j in judge. Leggo is LED-joh.
"to read" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| leggere | to read Core verb. | Core verb. |
| leggo / leggi / legge | I read / you read / he-she reads Present singular. | Present singular. |
| leggere un libro | to read a book Common object. | Common object. |
| ho letto | I have read / I read (past) Past participle letto. | Past participle letto. |
How to use leggere in real life
- 1Train seat
In treno leggo sempre un romanzo.
On the train I always read a novel.
Leggo.
- 2Menu ask
Leggi tu il menu? Non ho gli occhiali.
Will you read the menu? I don't have my glasses.
Leggi.
- 3News habit
Lei legge il giornale ogni mattina.
She reads the paper every morning.
Legge.
Mistakes English speakers make with leggere
Incorrect: Io leggere il libro.
Correct: Io leggo il libro.
Conjugate: io leggo.
Incorrect: Ho leggato il messaggio.
Correct: Ho letto il messaggio.
Past participle is letto.
Good to know
Beach holidays still mean leggere un giallo under an umbrella. Signs say vietato non leggere between the lines of bureaucracy—Italians joke about reading contracts carefully. Audiobooks are ascoltare, not leggere.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing books for a trip
ChatPal
Cosa leggi in aereo?
What are you reading on the plane?
You
Leggo un giallo corto.
I'm reading a short mystery.
ChatPal
Io leggo riviste: meno pesanti.
I read magazines: lighter.
You
Buona idea. Se finisco, leggo anche le tue.
Good idea. If I finish, I'll read yours too.
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 Italian
Why io leggo not lego?
Leggere doubles g in leggo/leggi/legge.
Past tense?
Ho letto.
Read aloud?
Leggere ad alta voce.
I'm reading now?
Sto leggendo / leggo.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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