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"Leer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to read", and "mirar la televisión" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to watch television". Learn more about the difference between "leer" and "mirar la televisión" 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.).
mirar la televisión(
mee
-
rahr
lah
teh
-
leh
-
bee
-
syohn
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to watch television
No quiero pasarme la tarde mirando la televisión. Salgamos a dar un paseo.I don't want to spend the evening watching television. Let's go out for a walk.
b. to watch TV
Los niños miraron la televisión un rato y luego fueron a jugar al parque.The children watched TV for a while and then went to play in the park.
