reading
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reading
An event at which an author or another person reads publicly from a literary work.
Ich gehe heute Abend zu einer Lesung meines Lieblingsautors in der Stadtbibliothek.
I'm going to a reading by my favorite author at the city library this evening.
The noun 'die Lesung' (reading) is derived directly from the verb 'lesen' (to read). The ending '-ung' forms nouns from verbs that describe the action or result of that action.
Das Lesen in der U-Bahn ist für mich entspannend.
Reading on the subway is relaxing for me.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Lesung' (reading) from the context: In the cultural field, it is about authors and books. In a political context, it is about laws and parliament. In formal or technical situations, it is about documents or data.
Die erste Lesung des neuen Klimagesetzes findet morgen statt.
The first reading of the new climate law will take place tomorrow.
In connection with an author reading, typical phrases are: 'zu einer Lesung gehen' (to go to a reading), 'eine Lesung besuchen' (to attend a reading), or 'eine Lesung halten' (to give a reading).
Der Autor hält eine Lesung aus seinem neuen Roman.
The author is giving a reading from his new novel.
In a political context, people speak of the 'erste', 'zweite', or 'dritte Lesung' (first, second, or third reading) of a law. These terms refer to the different stages of deliberation in parliament.
Nach der zweiten Lesung wurden noch einige Änderungen am Gesetzentwurf vorgenommen.
After the second reading, a few more changes were made to the bill.
debate
'die Debatte' and 'die Lesung' can both occur in parliament when a law is being discussed. 'Debatte' means the discussion with different opinions and arguments. 'Lesung' means a formal stage of deliberation on a bill. There can be a debate during a reading, but the words are not the same. Learners may confuse them because both appear in political news. If you mean the dispute or exchange of views, say 'Debatte'; if you mean the official step in the legislative process, say 'Lesung'.
In der zweiten Lesung wird der Entwurf noch einmal genau beraten.
In the second reading, the draft is discussed carefully once again.
Die Debatte über das neue Gesetz dauerte bis spät am Abend.
The debate about the new law lasted until late in the evening.