vorlesen
read aloud
Etwas Geschriebenes mit lauter Stimme sagen, damit andere zuhören können.
The German word "vorlesen" is a separable verb made up of:
- "vor" (prefix meaning "ahead" or "in front"),
- "lesen" (verb meaning "to read").
"Vorlesen" means "to read aloud"—to read a text out loud for others to hear.
Similar words:
- "lesen" (to read silently or aloud, general reading),
- "aufsagen" (to recite, typically from memory),
- "vortragen" (to present or recite, often formally).
Difference:
"Vorlesen" specifically emphasizes reading aloud from a text for an audience, while "lesen" is neutral about whether reading is silent or aloud. "Aufsagen" is recalling and reciting by heart without reading text, and "vortragen" refers more broadly to presenting spoken content, often with interpretation or expression, not just reading.
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Examples
Kannst du mir das Buch vorlesen?verb
Can you read the book aloud to me?
Er wird aus dem Buch vorlesen.verb
He will read aloud from the book.
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