Hans Christian Andersen

The Princess and the Pea

Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse

A prince searches the world for a bride who is a true princess, but can never be quite sure any of the candidates really are. One stormy night a drenched, bedraggled girl knocks at the gate claiming to be exactly that, and the old queen quietly devises a test to find out.

B15 minAudio

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How it begins

EnglishGerman

Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess, but she had to be a real princess. He traveled all over the world to find one, but he couldn't find what he wanted anywhere.

Es war einmal ein Prinz, der wollte eine Prinzessin heiraten, aber sie musste eine echte Prinzessin sein. Er reiste durch die ganze Welt, um eine zu finden, aber er konnte nirgends finden, was er suchte.

There were plenty of princesses, but it was hard to tell whether they were real ones. There was always something about them that wasn't quite right.

Es gab viele Prinzessinnen, aber es war schwer zu sagen, ob sie echt waren. Es gab immer etwas an ihnen, das nicht ganz stimmte.

So he came home again and was sad, because he wanted a real princess very much.

Also kam er wieder nach Hause und war traurig, denn er wollte so gerne eine echte Prinzessin haben.

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

Languages

The Princess and the Pea · English (original)B1 Intermediate · 350 words · ~5 min · Audio
Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse · GermanB1 Intermediate · 343 words · ~5 min · Audio
Η πριγκίπισσα και το μπιζέλι · GreekB1 Intermediate · 322 words · ~5 min
La princesa y el guisante · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 343 words · ~5 min · Audio
La Princesse au petit pois · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 384 words · ~5 min · Audio
राजकुमारी और मटर का दाना · HindiB1 Intermediate · 411 words · ~5 min
Putri dan Sebutir Kacang Polong · IndonesianB1 Intermediate · 335 words · ~5 min
La principessa sul pisello · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 327 words · ~5 min
エンドウ豆の上に寝たお姫さま · JapaneseB1 Intermediate
공주와 완두콩 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 248 words · ~5 min
De prinses op de erwt · DutchB1 Intermediate · 371 words · ~5 min
Księżniczka na ziarnku grochu · PolishB1 Intermediate · 282 words · ~5 min
A Princesa e a Ervilha · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 344 words · ~5 min
Prințesa și bobul de mazăre · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 341 words · ~5 min
Prenses ve Bezelye Tanesi · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 270 words · ~5 min
Nàng công chúa và hạt đậu · VietnameseB1 Intermediate · 422 words · ~5 min
豌豆公主 · ChineseB1 Intermediate

Questions

Which languages can I read The Princess and the Pea in?

English, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese 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, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.

How long is it?

About 350 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 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.

The Princess and the Pea

How it begins

Languages

Questions

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