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"Mirar la televisión" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to watch television", and "leer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to read". Learn more about the difference between "mirar la televisión" and "leer" below.
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.
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.).
