"Я не умею читать."
Translation:I do not know how to read.
November 6, 2015
45 CommentsThis discussion is locked.
This discussion is locked.
уме́ть (umétʹ) [ʊˈmʲetʲ] impf (perfective суме́ть) "to be able; to know how to" Inherited from Old East Slavic оумѣти (uměti), from Proto-Slavic *uměti ("to know (how)"), from *umъ (probably from Proto-Indo European *men- ("to think; mind", origin of English mind and mental)) + *-ěti. Cognate to ум (um, "mind; intellect").
el9in
36
I don't know how to read = I can't read (both options are correct) ps. but first (a little different)
ScarsUnseen
808
That is close, but not quite it. That means "I do not know to read."
"Я не умею читать" means "I do not know HOW to read." In this context, we're talking about someone ability to read, the knowhow. I hope that makes sense!