Which languages can I read Snowdrop 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 2,381 words: around 15–20 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

Schneewittchen

Brothers Grimm

In each language: Snowdrop · Schneewittchen · Blancanieves · Blanche-Neige · Biancaneve

Watching snow fall past her ebony window, a queen pricks her finger and wishes for a daughter as white as snow, red as blood and black as ebony. After the queen dies, the king's vain new wife asks her fairy looking-glass who is fairest in the land, until one day its answer changes.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 2,400 words · 15–20 min to read.

Read it

Left · you readRight · for help

You read German on the left. English is on the right to help you, and while reading, the eye button blurs or hides it.

Start reading

Each paragraph followed by its English for your e-reader or tablet, or a side-by-side PDF to print. Which file do I need?

The PDF needs no account; e-reader files need a free one. No payment, nothing to install.

Already have an account? Log in

How it begins

GermanEnglish

Es war mitten im Winter, als die breiten Schneeflocken ringsumher fielen, da saß die Königin eines Landes, das viele tausend Meilen entfernt lag, an ihrem Fenster und arbeitete.

It was the middle of winter, when the broad flakes of snow were falling around, that the queen of a country many thousand miles off sat working at her window.

Der Rahmen des Fensters war aus feinem, schwarzem Ebenholz gefertigt, und während sie so dasaß und auf den Schnee hinaussah, stach sie sich in den Finger, und drei Tropfen Blut fielen darauf.

The frame of the window was made of fine black ebony, and as she sat looking out upon the snow, she pricked her finger, and three drops of blood fell upon it.

Dann betrachtete sie nachdenklich die roten Tropfen, die den weißen Schnee besprenkelten, und sagte: „Wäre doch meine kleine Tochter so weiß wie dieser Schnee, so rot wie dieses Blut und so schwarz wie dieser Ebenholzfensterrahmen!“

Then she gazed thoughtfully upon the red drops that sprinkled the white snow, and said, ‘Would that my little daughter may be as white as that snow, as red as that blood, and as black as this ebony windowframe!’

The opening paragraphs, as the reader shows them. Read on

Languages

Snowdrop · English (original)2,381 words · ~15 min
Schneewittchen · GermanB1 Intermediate · 2,267 words · ~20 min
Blancanieves · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 2,256 words · ~20 min
Blanche-Neige · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 2,508 words · ~20 min
Biancaneve · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 2,181 words · ~20 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 Snowdrop 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 2,381 words: around 15–20 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.