PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
Conjugation directory
Lire is a straightforward but important verb for reading tasks, studying, and everyday information handling. It is especially useful for exam instructions.
Use it when talking about books, articles, messages, and the act of reading itself.
Je lis vos messages tous les soirs.
I read your messages every evening.
Do not forget the irregular stem in the future and conditional forms.
Use the table above and the related links below to pin the pattern down before you move on to other verbs.
Start with the present tense, then the passé composé. Those two forms carry most everyday conversation and make the rest of the table easier to recognise.
Lire typically uses avoir in compound tenses. Check the table above and keep the past participle in view when you move into compound forms.
Use the related links below and then open the interactive conjugator to compare this verb with others you use often.