Which languages can I read The Elves and the Shoemaker in?

English, German, 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.

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

About 748 words: around 5 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

Die Wichtelmänner

Brothers Grimm

In each language: The Elves and the Shoemaker · Die Wichtelmänner · Los duendes y el zapatero · 小人の靴屋 · 구두장이와 요정들 · Os Elfos e o Sapateiro · Cizmarul și spiridușii · Ayakkabıcı ile Cüceler · 小精灵与鞋匠

An honest shoemaker works hard but still cannot earn enough to live on. With leather left for just one pair of shoes, he cuts it out and goes peacefully to bed. In the morning the shoes stand finished on his table, flawless in every stitch, and the wonder repeats night after night.

In English, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese · about 750 words · 5 min to read.

Read it

Izquierda · leesDerecha · de ayuda

Lees en alemán, a la izquierda. A la derecha tienes el inglés para ayudarte; mientras lees, el botón del ojo lo difumina o lo oculta.

Empezar a leer

Cada párrafo seguido de su versión en inglés, para tu lector electrónico o tablet, o un PDF en paralelo para imprimir. ¿Qué archivo necesito?

El PDF no necesita cuenta; los archivos para lector electrónico sí, pero es gratuita. Sin pagos y sin instalar nada.

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Cómo empieza

GermanEnglish

Es war einmal ein Schuster, der arbeitete sehr fleißig und war sehr ehrlich: doch konnte er nicht genug verdienen, um davon zu leben; und schließlich war alles, was er auf der Welt besaß, dahin, bis auf gerade genug Leder, um ein Paar Schuhe zu machen.

There was once a shoemaker, who worked very hard and was very honest: but still he could not earn enough to live upon; and at last all he had in the world was gone, save just leather enough to make one pair of shoes.

Dann schnitt er das Leder zu, alles bereit, um es am nächsten Tag zu verarbeiten, und nahm sich vor, früh am Morgen an seine Arbeit zu gehen.

Then he cut his leather out, all ready to make up the next day, meaning to rise early in the morning to his work.

Sein Gewissen war rein und sein Herz leicht inmitten all seiner Sorgen; also ging er friedlich zu Bett, überließ all seine Nöte dem Himmel und schlief bald ein.

His conscience was clear and his heart light amidst all his troubles; so he went peaceably to bed, left all his cares to Heaven, and soon fell asleep.

Los primeros párrafos, tal como los muestra el lector. Seguir leyendo

Languages

The Elves and the Shoemaker · English (original)748 words · ~5 min
Die Wichtelmänner · GermanB1 Intermediate · 711 words · ~5 min
Los duendes y el zapatero · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 722 words · ~5 min
小人の靴屋 · JapaneseB1 Intermediate · 21 words · ~5 min
구두장이와 요정들 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 493 words · ~5 min
Os Elfos e o Sapateiro · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 696 words · ~5 min
Cizmarul și spiridușii · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 695 words · ~5 min
Ayakkabıcı ile Cüceler · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 532 words · ~5 min
小精灵与鞋匠 · ChineseB1 Intermediate · 21 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 The Elves and the Shoemaker in?: English, German, 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?: In translation, German, 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 748 words: around 5 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.