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"Leer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to read", and "hablar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to speak". Learn more about the difference between "leer" and "hablar" 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.).
hablar(
ah
-
blahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to discuss
Eso tienes que hablarlo directamente con el director.You need to discuss that directly with the principal.
b. to say
¿Verdaderamente no tienes nada de qué hablarme?You really don't have anything to say to me?
8. (to call) (Argentina) (El Salvador) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in El Salvador
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to phone
Ahora que tienes su número, ¿le vas a hablar?Now that you have her number, are you going to phone her?
hablarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
b. to talk to each other
Deberían hablarse con más frecuencia para que no surja este tipo de problema.They should talk to each other more often to avoid this type of issue coming up.
e. to be on speaking terms
Los primos no se hablan después de la pelea sobre la herencia.The cousins aren't on speaking terms after the fight over the inheritance.
