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How to Say ‘I read a book.’ in French

J'ai lu un livre.

zhuh ay loo uhn leevr

[zhuh ay loo uhn leevr]

💬 Usage Tip: Past tense structure using 'avoir'.

Phrase Breakdown

J'

[zhuh]

I

First person singular pronoun.

Example

J'ai lu un livre sur le climat.

I read a book on climate.

ai

[ay]

have

Helping verb used in past tense.

Example

J'ai visité Paris.

I have visited Paris.

lu

[loo]

read

Past participle of 'read'.

Example

J'ai lu ce livre il y a deux jours.

I read this book two days ago.

un

[uhn]

a

Indefinite article used for singular nouns (masculine).

Example

J'ai choisi un film.

I chose a movie.

livre

[leevr]

book

A set of written or printed pages, usually bound.

Example

Un livre est sur la table.

A book is on the table.

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