Which languages can I read Thales of Miletus in?

English, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese. 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.

The original English is B1 Intermediate. In translation, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 1,557 words in 7 chapters: around 5–15 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 downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.

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.

Ancient Philosophers

Thales of Miletus

DuoText

The first philosopher looked up at the stars, fell into a well, and asked the biggest question of all: what is everything made of?

7 chapters · about 1,600 words · 5–15 min to read.

Read it

Left · you readRight · for help

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

Start reading

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

Downloads need a free account. No payment, nothing to install.

Already have an account? Log in

How it begins

EnglishGreek

The Well

Το πηγάδι

Miletus was a busy town on the coast of Asia Minor. Ships came and went. The market smelled of fish, olive oil and wool.

Η Μίλητος ήταν μια πολυσύχναστη πόλη στις ακτές της Μικράς Ασίας. Καράβια έρχονταν και έφευγαν. Η αγορά μύριζε ψάρι, ελαιόλαδο και μαλλί.

About two and a half thousand years ago, a man called Thales lived there.

Πριν από περίπου δυόμισι χιλιάδες χρόνια, ζούσε εκεί ένας άνδρας που τον έλεγαν Θαλή.

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

Languages

Thales of Miletus · English (original)B1 Intermediate · 1,557 words · ~15 min
Thales von Milet · GermanB1 Intermediate · 1,481 words · ~10 min
Θαλής ο Μιλήσιος · GreekB1 Intermediate · 1,513 words · ~15 min
Tales de Mileto · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 1,516 words · ~15 min
Thalès de Milet · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 1,703 words · ~15 min
माइलेटस के थेल्स · HindiB1 Intermediate · 1,735 words · ~15 min
Thales dari Miletos · IndonesianB1 Intermediate · 1,419 words · ~10 min
Talete di Mileto · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 1,524 words · ~15 min
ミレトスのタレス · JapaneseB1 Intermediate
밀레토스의 탈레스 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 1,062 words · ~10 min
Tales de Mileto · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 1,570 words · ~15 min
Thales din Milet · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 1,500 words · ~15 min
Miletli Thales · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 1,086 words · ~10 min
米利都的泰勒斯 · ChineseB1 Intermediate

Open it in the reader: all 182 language pairs

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 Thales of Miletus in?: English, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese. 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?: The original English is B1 Intermediate. In translation, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 1,557 words in 7 chapters: around 5–15 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 downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.
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.