The Indolence of the Filipino, José Rizal

The Indolence of the Filipino

José Rizal

Level
C1
Words
14,663
Chapters
2
Reading time
about 2 hours
Translation
instant AI translation as you read

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A satirical essay by Filipino national hero José Rizal, critiquing the perceived indolence of his countrymen under Spanish colonial rule. He argues that this trait is a result of historical and environmental factors, not inherent laziness. The text is persuasive and analytical, with a clear argument structure, offering learners practice in reading reasoned discourse and understanding a pivotal perspective in colonial history.

Learn English with The Indolence of the Filipino

  • Suits learners around level C1: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
  • 3,357 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
  • Read in English, glance at the translation under any sentence you are unsure of, and listen to natural read-aloud voices to train your ear.

How it works

  1. Open the book: no installation, it reads in the browser on any device.
  2. Read a sentence in English. Its translation sits right under it, so you never lose the thread.
  3. Tap a word for its meaning and save it; listen to the chapter read aloud.

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Questions about this book

Can I read The Indolence of the Filipino in English for free?

Yes. The first chapters of The Indolence of the Filipino open without an account, with the translation, audio and dictionary included. A free account unlocks the rest of the book.

How much English do I need?

The text is estimated at level C1. Because every sentence has its translation underneath, lower levels can follow along too.

Is there audio?

Yes. Each chapter can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice while the current sentence is highlighted.