to read
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Leo el periódico todas las mañanas.
I read the newspaper every morning.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Mi hija leyó el libro en dos días.
My daughter read the book in two days.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Leíamos poemas de Martí en la escuela.
We used to read Martí's poems at school.
Futuro · What will happen
Leerás las instrucciones antes de empezar.
You'll read the instructions before starting.
Condicional · What would happen
Yo leería más si tuviera tiempo.
I'd read more if I had time.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
¿Has leído esa novela de Gabriel García Márquez?
Have you read that novel by Gabriel García Márquez?
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Los estudiantes ya habían leído el capítulo.
The students had already read the chapter.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para el lunes habré leído todo el libro.
By Monday I will have read the whole book.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Ella habría leído el mensaje si tuviera el celular.
She would have read the message if she had her phone.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que leas esta carta.
I want you to read this letter.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Mi abuelo me pidió que leyera la carta en voz alta.
My grandfather asked me to read the letter aloud.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
La maestra quería que leyesen en voz alta.
The teacher wanted them to read aloud.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Dudo que haya leído el contrato.
I doubt he has read the contract.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubiera leído las instrucciones, no habría roto la máquina.
If I had read the instructions, I wouldn't have broken the machine.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Lee esto y dime qué piensas.
Read this and tell me what you think.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No leas en la oscuridad.
Don't read in the dark.