lire
Irregular (-ire verb) Level A1 ⭐ #21 Most CommonEnglish translation: to read / to interpret
Présent (Present)
Reading currently
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| je | lis | |
| tu | lis | |
| il/elle | lit | |
| nous | lisons | |
| vous | lisez | |
| ils/elles | lisent |
- Je lis un livre passionnant sur l'histoire. — I am reading a fascinating book on history.
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Frequently Asked Questions: LIRE
Is "lire" a regular or irregular verb in French? ▾
"lire" is classified as a Irregular (-ire verb) verb in French. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "lis, lit, lisons, lisez, lisent / lu in participle". Derived from Latin legere. In present plural, stems add -s- (lisons, lisez, lisent). Past participle is simply 'lu'. Plural forms insert an 's' sound: nous li-sons.
What does "lire" mean in English? ▾
In English, "lire" translates primarily to "to read / to interpret". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A1 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "lire"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "J'ai lisé ce roman hier." instead of "J'ai lu ce roman hier.". Why? The past participle of lire is 'lu', never *lisé.
What are common idioms or expressions with "lire"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Lire entre les lignes" which means "To read between the lines" (e.g. "Il faut savoir lire entre les lignes.").
How can I practice and memorize "lire" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Other Important French Verbs to Study
to be
to have / to be (age)
to do / to make
to go
to be able to / can
to want
to take / have (food/drink)
to see / watch
to come
to speak / talk
must / to have to / owe
to know (facts / how to do)
to believe, think
to live, exist
to put / to place / to set
to leave / to depart
to drink
to understand / to comprehend / to include
to be necessary / must / to need
to hold / to keep / to take place
to write / to compose
to open / to unlock