01
verlesen
to read out
To present something written aloud in front of a group of people, often in an official or formal setting.
example
Der Richter wird nun das Urteil verlesen.
The judge will now read out the verdict.
verlesen
to read out / misread / sort
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verlesen' (to read out / to misread / to sort) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' stays firmly attached to the verb stem 'lesen' (to read) in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er verlas die Namen der Gewinner.
He read out the names of the winners.
Reflexive for mistakes
In the meaning 'to make a reading error', the verb is always reflexive: 'sich verlesen' (to misread). The reflexive pronoun shows that the mistake lies with the person doing the reading.
EXAMPLE
Oh, Moment, da habe ich mich verlesen. Der Termin ist erst morgen.
Oh, wait, I misread that. The appointment isn't until tomorrow.
Context: formal
The meaning 'to read aloud' is usually used in a formal or official context. Typical objects are a list, minutes, a verdict, or an official letter.
EXAMPLE
Der Notar verlas das Testament vor der versammelten Familie.
The notary read out the will in front of the assembled family.
Context: food
The meaning 'to sort out' almost always refers to foods that are checked before preparation. People typically sort lentils, beans, rice, or berries in order to remove bad pieces or small stones.
EXAMPLE
Meine Oma hat mir beigebracht, die Bohnen vor dem Einweichen sorgfältig zu verlesen.
My grandma taught me to sort the beans carefully before soaking them.
Compare with
verlesen vs sortieren
to sort
'sortieren' and 'verlesen' can both mean that you look through a quantity of things carefully. 'sortieren' is general: you arrange things according to certain criteria, for example by color, size, or topic. 'verlesen' is much more specific and is usually not suitable for every kind of everyday organizing. Here it means looking through something carefully and removing bad or unwanted items, for example with lentils, berries, or vegetables. The words can be confused because in both cases a quantity of things is being worked through. But 'sortieren' arranges things, while 'verlesen' mainly selects and removes what is bad.
verlesen
Meine Nachbarin verliest die Linsen, weil kleine Steinchen darin sein können.
My neighbor sorts through the lentils because there may be small stones in them.
sortieren
Für das Projekt sortiert er die Reisedokumente nach Ländern.
For the project, he sorts the travel documents by country.
In real life
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