Question 1

Why does it say lee instead of lees if we are saying "Do you read"?

Accepted Answer

The word for "you" here is usted, which is the formal version used to show respect (which fits perfectly with calling him señor!). In Spanish, usted always uses the exact same verb endings as "he" or "she" (él or ella). For a regular -er verb like leer (to read), you drop the -er and add -e, giving us lee. You would only use lees with the informal "you", tú.

Question 2

Why is there no word for "Do" in the Spanish sentence?

Accepted Answer

Spanish doesn't use helping words like "do" or "does" to ask questions. You simply take the normal statement structure (Usted lee... meaning "You read...") and frame it with the upside-down and regular question marks (¿ and ?), raising your pitch at the end of the sentence when speaking.

Question 3

I learned that titles need words like el or la before them. Why is it just señor at the end, not el señor?

Accepted Answer

You only need to add el or la before a title when you are talking about a person (for example: El señor lee el libro - The gentleman reads the book). Because you are talking directly to him in this sentence, you drop the el and just say señor.

Question 4

Do I have to include the word usted, or could I just say ¿Lee el libro aquí, señor?

Accepted Answer

You can absolutely drop usted! In Spanish, pronouns are often left out because the verb ending gives enough clues. Since you call him señor at the end, it's already clear who you are talking to and that you are being formal. Including usted here just makes the sentence feel a little extra polite.

¿Usted lee el libro aquí, señor?

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