Spanish Phrase
Lee bien el mensaje de error.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to read the error message carefully, usually before trying to fix a problem or before asking for help. It emphasizes paying attention to the details of the message.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are troubleshooting software, guiding a colleague through a technical issue, or reminding a user to check the exact wording of an error notification.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Leebienelmensajedeerror
Imperative (tú) of leer
‘Lee’ is the affirmative tú‑imperative of the verb ‘leer’ (to read). It is formed by dropping the final -s of the present‑indicative tú form ‘lees’.
Adverb placement
‘bien’ is an adverb meaning ‘well’ or ‘carefully’. In Spanish it normally follows the verb it modifies, especially in imperatives.
Definite article
‘el mensaje’ uses the masculine singular article ‘el’ because ‘mensaje’ is a masculine noun.
Prepositional phrase ‘de error’
‘de error’ functions like an English ‘of error’, specifying the type of message. No article is needed before ‘error’.
🗨In Conversation
¿Por qué sigue fallando la aplicación?
Why does the app keep failing?
Lee bien el mensaje de error antes de intentar otra cosa.
Read the error message carefully before trying something else.
✕Common Mistakes
Lee bien el mensaje del error.
‘del’ (de + el) would imply ‘the error’s message’, which is redundant; the correct form is simply ‘de error’.
Lee el mensaje de error bien.
Placing ‘bien’ after the noun changes the meaning to ‘the good error message’, which is not intended.
Lea bien el mensaje de error.
Using the formal usted imperative ‘Lea’ changes the register; for casual tech support the tú form ‘Lee’ is preferred.
↔Alternatives
Revisa detenidamente el mensaje de error.
Check the error message thoroughly.
Presta atención al mensaje de error.
Pay attention to the error message.
Mira con cuidado el mensaje de error.
Look closely at the error message.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish, using ‘bien’ after an imperative verb is a common way to add the nuance of ‘carefully’ or ‘properly’. It sounds friendly yet firm, which is perfect for tech support contexts. Avoid over‑formal constructions like ‘lea bien…’, which would be appropriate only in very formal written instructions.