vs
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"Leer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to read", and "escribir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to write". Learn more about the difference between "leer" and "escribir" below.
leer(
leh
-
ehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to read
Deberías leer las obras completas de Shakespeare.You should read the complete works of Shakespeare.
a. to read
A ese jugador de póker es imposible leerle la cara.It's impossible to read that poker player's face.
3. (computing)
4. (education)
a. to defend
Leyó su tesis doctoral frente a un panel de profesores.She defended her doctoral thesis in front of a panel of professors.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
escribir(
ehs
-
kree
-
beer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to write
El alumno escribió su ensayo de 20 páginas en una noche.The student wrote his 20-page essay in one night.
Escribe lo que digo.Write what I say.
3. (to spell)
a. to write
Los nombres propios se escriben con mayúscula.Proper nouns are written with capital letters.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to write
Es un verdadero escándalo que algunos niños terminen el colegio sin saber leer o escribir.It is truly shocking that some children leave school without being able to read or write.
escribirse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to write to
Hace años que me escribo con un argentino que conocí cuando viajaba por Sudamérica.I've been writing to an Argentinian for years whom I met when I was traveling around South America.
