Introduction
The verb lesen means "to read" in German. It is an irregular verb and is commonly used to describe reading activities.
Conjugation of Lesen
| Pronoun | Present | Past | Past Participle | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | lese | las | gelesen | I read |
| du | liest | last | gelesen | You read |
| er/sie/es | liest | las | gelesen | He/She/It reads |
| wir | lesen | lasen | gelesen | We read |
| ihr | lest | last | gelesen | You (plural) read |
| sie/Sie | lesen | lasen | gelesen | They/You (formal) read |
Usage Examples
Present Tense
- Ich lese ein Buch.
- I am reading a book.
- Du liest die Zeitung.
- You are reading the newspaper.
- Er liest einen Roman.
- He is reading a novel.
Past Tense
- Wir lasen gestern einen Artikel.
- We read an article yesterday.
- Ihr last das Buch in der Schule.
- You (plural) read the book at school.
Perfect Tense
- Sie hat das Magazin gelesen.
- She has read the magazine.
- Hast du dieses Buch gelesen?
- Have you read this book?
Additional Notes
- The verb lesen is irregular, meaning its conjugation does not follow the standard pattern for regular verbs.
- In the past participle form, gelesen, it is used with the auxiliary verb haben to form the perfect tense.
- Pay attention to the vowel change in the second person singular (du liest) and third person singular (er/sie/es liest) in the present tense.
Common Expressions with Lesen
- etwas gerne lesen
- to enjoy reading something
- laut lesen
- to read aloud
- ein Buch auslesen
- to finish reading a book
Related Vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Buch | the book |
| der Artikel | the article |
| die Zeitung | the newspaper |
| der Roman | the novel |
| das Magazin | the magazine |
| der Leser | the reader |
| die Bibliothek | the library |
| die Literatur | literature |
Conclusion
The verb lesen is an essential part of everyday communication in German, used to describe reading activities and more. By understanding its conjugation and usage, you can effectively talk about what you read and when you read it.