Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to read" in Portuguese: ler
ler
To read in Portuguese is ler. Everyday forms are eu leio, você lê, and eu li. Brazilians also say ler notícia for reading the news.
Beach habit
Eu leio um pouco todo dia de manhã.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ler
Say it
lehr / LAY-oo / leh / lee
/ˈleʁ/
lehr. Eu leio is LAY-oo; você lê is leh; eu li is lee.
"to read" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ler | to read Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu leio | I read Present first person. | Present first person. |
| você lê | you read Questions. | Questions. |
| eu li | I read (past) Past. | Past. |
| estou lendo | I'm reading Progressive. | Progressive. |
How to use ler in real life
- 1Beach habit
Eu leio um pouco todo dia de manhã.
I read a little every morning.
Leio for I read.
- 2Recommendation
Você lê ficção ou não ficção?
Do you read fiction or nonfiction?
Lê is você form.
- 3Finished book
Eu li esse romance em duas noites.
I read that novel in two nights.
Li is past.
Mistakes English speakers make with ler
Incorrect: Eu lê o jornal.
Correct: Eu leio o jornal.
First person is leio, not lê.
Incorrect: Eu ler ontem.
Correct: Eu li ontem.
Past of ler is li.
Good to know
Ler is irregular—lock in leio/lê/li early. Metro riders in São Paulo and Rio often estou lendo on phones more than paper books.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a book at a café
ChatPal
Você lê em português ou em inglês?
Do you read in Portuguese or in English?
You
Eu leio os dois, mas devagar.
I read both, but slowly.
ChatPal
Legal. Eu li esse autor no ano passado.
Cool. I read that author last year.
You
Então eu leio o primeiro capítulo agora.
Then I'll read the first chapter now.
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 Portuguese
I read?
Eu leio.
Do you read…?
Você lê…?
I read (past)?
Eu li.
I'm reading?
Estou lendo.
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
