Classic
Hans im Glück
Brothers Grimm
In each language: Hans in Luck · Hans im Glück · Juan con suerte · Jean la Chance · Hans il fortunato
After seven years of hard work, Hans sets off home to his mother, carrying his wages: a lump of silver as big as his head. Along the road he keeps meeting people who offer him trades that sound better each time, and he keeps agreeing.
In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 2,400 words · 15–20 min to read.
Read it
Tu lis en allemand, à gauche. À droite, tu as le texte en anglais pour t’aider ; pendant la lecture, le bouton en forme d’œil le floute ou le masque.
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Comment ça commence
Manche Menschen sind mit Glück geboren: Alles, was sie tun oder versuchen, gelingt ihnen – alles, was ihnen zufällt, ist ein Gewinn – alle ihre Gänse sind Schwäne – alle ihre Karten sind Trümpfe – wirf sie, wie du willst, sie werden immer, wie die arme Katze, auf ihren Füßen landen und sich nur umso schneller weiterbewegen.
Some men are born to good luck: all they do or try to do comes right—all that falls to them is so much gain—all their geese are swans—all their cards are trumps—toss them which way you will, they will always, like poor puss, alight upon their legs, and only move on so much the faster.
Die Welt mag sie vielleicht nicht immer so sehen, wie sie sich selbst sehen, aber was kümmert sie die Welt? Was kann sie schon darüber wissen?
The world may very likely not always think of them as they think of themselves, but what care they for the world? what can it know about the matter?
Einer dieser Glückspilze war der Nachbar Hans. Sieben lange Jahre hatte er hart für seinen Herrn gearbeitet. Schließlich sagte er: „Herr, meine Zeit ist um; ich muss nach Hause und meine arme Mutter noch einmal sehen: Bitte zahlt mir meinen Lohn aus und lasst mich gehen.“
One of these lucky beings was neighbour Hans. Seven long years he had worked hard for his master. At last he said, ‘Master, my time is up; I must go home and see my poor mother once more: so pray pay me my wages and let me go.’
Languages
- Hans in Luck · English (original)2,354 words · ~15 min
- Hans im Glück · GermanB1 Intermediate · 2,314 words · ~20 min
- Juan con suerte · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 2,211 words · ~20 min
- Jean la Chance · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 2,519 words · ~20 min
- Hans il fortunato · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 2,159 words · ~20 min
Open in the reader: German with English · Spanish with English · French with English · Italian with English
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- Das letzte BlattO. Henry · B2 · 2,380 words
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 Hans in Luck 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 2,354 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.