Leído

Leído is the past participle of the Spanish verb leer (to read). It is used to indicate that the act of reading has been completed and can function as an adjective or as part of compound tenses with haber. When used grammatically, it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: leído (masculine singular), leídos (masculine plural), leída (feminine singular), leídas (feminine plural).

Etymology and form: leer comes from Latin legere. The participle leído is formed with the -ido suffix typical of -er/-ir verbs, with an accent on the í to preserve the correct stress pattern (leído, not leido). The feminine and plural forms follow standard agreement rules.

Usage: Leído frequently appears in perfect tenses, as in he leído, has leído, hemos leído, or han leído, to express actions completed in the present perfect. It can also describe a noun as an adjective, as in un libro leído, a person “el texto leído por la clase.” In passive or middle constructions, phrases like "el informe fue leído" are common, though the passive voice is often replaced by the active voice with por quien.

Examples:

- He leído ese libro.

- El informe fue leído por la secretaria.

- Un libro ya leído puede ser recomendado a otros.

Related terms: leer (to read), lectura (reading or act of reading), lector/lectora (reader). Leído is distinct from the gerund leyendo (reading) and from participles of other verbs with different formations.

See also: lectura, lectura crítica, literatura.