Which languages can I read The Emperor’s New Clothes in?

English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.

In translation, German, Spanish, French and Italian are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 1,588 words: around 10–15 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.

Yes. Read it online with no account. The e-reader files (EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account; the PDF doesn't.

Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?

Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.

Classic

Des Kaisers neue Kleider

Hans Christian Andersen

In each language: The Emperor’s New Clothes · Des Kaisers neue Kleider · El traje nuevo del emperador · Les Habits neufs de l’empereur · I vestiti nuovi dell’imperatore

An emperor who cares about nothing but fine clothes is thrilled when two swindlers offer to weave him a suit from a magical cloth, invisible to anyone unfit for their job or hopelessly stupid. As his ministers and finally the emperor himself go to inspect the empty looms, nobody dares admit what they actually see.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 1,600 words · 10–15 min to read.

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Links · du liestRechts · als Hilfe

Du liest links auf Deutsch. Englisch steht rechts als Hilfe, und beim Lesen kannst du es mit der Augen-Taste verwischen oder ausblenden.

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So fängt es an

GermanEnglish

Vor vielen, vielen Jahren lebte ein Kaiser, der so viel Wert auf neue Kleider legte, dass er all sein Geld ausgab, um sie zu bekommen; sein einziger Ehrgeiz war es, immer gut gekleidet zu sein.

Many, many years ago lived an emperor, who thought so much of new clothes that he spent all his money in order to obtain them; his only ambition was to be always well dressed.

Er kümmerte sich nicht um seine Soldaten, und das Theater amüsierte ihn nicht; das Einzige, woran er tatsächlich dachte, war, auszufahren und einen neuen Anzug zu zeigen.

He did not care for his soldiers, and the theatre did not amuse him; the only thing, in fact, he thought anything of was to drive out and show a new suit of clothes.

Er hatte für jede Stunde des Tages einen Rock; und wie man von einem König sagt: „Er ist in seinem Kabinett“, so konnte man von ihm sagen: „Der Kaiser ist in seiner Ankleide.“

He had a coat for every hour of the day; and as one would say of a king "He is in his cabinet," so one could say of him, "The emperor is in his dressing-room."

Die ersten Absätze, so wie der Reader sie zeigt. Weiterlesen

Languages

The Emperor’s New Clothes · English (original)1,588 words · ~10 min
Des Kaisers neue Kleider · GermanB1 Intermediate · 1,549 words · ~15 min
El traje nuevo del emperador · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 1,469 words · ~10 min
Les Habits neufs de l’empereur · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 1,678 words · ~15 min
I vestiti nuovi dell’imperatore · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 1,395 words · ~10 min

Open in the reader: German with English · Spanish with English · French with English · Italian with English

Reading it as a parallel text

A parallel text puts a story next to its translation, paragraph by paragraph. Read in the language you are working on and glance across only when a sentence stops you: the story keeps moving, and the words you look up stay in context. More in how to read with a parallel text.

Questions

Which languages can I read The Emperor’s New Clothes in?: English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.
What level is it?: In translation, German, Spanish, French and Italian are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 1,588 words: around 10–15 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.
Is it free?: Yes. Read it online with no account. The e-reader files (EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account; the PDF doesn't.
Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?: Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.