Which languages can I read Gezeitengeduld in?

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

About 2,320 words in 6 chapters: around 5–20 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.

Perfekt-Geschichten · Simple Stories · Geschichte 8

Gezeitengeduld

DuoText

In each language: Gezeitengeduld · Tidewait · Paciencia de marea · 潮の忍耐 · 조석의 인내 · Paciência de Maré · 潮汐耐心

Two translators get the same novel, but the publisher will take only one version. The rules say: not a word about the book. Nobody said anything about coffee.

In German, English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese · 6 chapters · about 2,300 words · 5–20 min to read.

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Der Brief ist an einem Montag gekommen, und ich musste ihn zweimal lesen. Der Verlag Nordlicht in Hamburg hat mir einen Auftrag angeboten: den neuen Roman von Iris Wynn, „Salt and Hours“, vierhundert Seiten, acht Wochen Zeit. Unter der Unterschrift hat noch ein Satz gestanden, klein und fast freundlich: Herr Jonas Keller übersetzt dasselbe Buch. Wir nehmen die bessere Version.

The letter came on a Monday, and I had to read it twice. Nordlicht, a publisher in Hamburg, was offering me a job: Iris Wynn's new novel, "Salt and Hours", four hundred pages, eight weeks. Under the signature there was one more sentence, small and almost friendly: Mr Jonas Keller is translating the same book. We will take the better version.

Ich kenne den Namen Jonas Keller. Jeder in unserer kleinen Welt kennt ihn. Er hat in den letzten drei Jahren zwei Preise gewonnen, und in jedem Interview hat er gesagt, dass Übersetzen „wie Tanzen im Dunkeln“ ist. Ich habe diesen Satz immer ein bisschen eitel gefunden.

I know the name Jonas Keller. Everyone in our small world knows it. He has won two prizes in the last three years, and in every interview he said that translating is "like dancing in the dark". I always found that line a little vain.

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

Languages

Gezeitengeduld · German (original)B1 Intermediate · 2,320 words · ~20 min
Tidewait · English2,285 words · ~15 min
Paciencia de marea · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 2,198 words · ~20 min
潮の忍耐 · JapaneseB1 Intermediate · 141 words · ~5 min
조석의 인내 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 1,755 words · ~15 min
Paciência de Maré · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 2,215 words · ~20 min
Gezeitengeduld · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 2,211 words · ~20 min
Gezeitengeduld · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 1,712 words · ~15 min
潮汐耐心 · ChineseB1 Intermediate · 132 words · ~5 min

Open in the reader: German with English · Spanish with English · Japanese with English · Korean with English · Portuguese with English · Romanian with English · Turkish with English · Chinese 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 Gezeitengeduld in?: German, English, Spanish, 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 German is B1 Intermediate. In translation, Spanish, 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 2,320 words in 6 chapters: around 5–20 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.