The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Mermaid

Hans Christian Andersen

Level
C1
Words
9,097
Chapters
1
First published
1837
Reading time
about 1 hour
Translation
published human translation, pre-aligned

Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary

A young mermaid, fascinated by the human world, makes a dangerous pact with a sea witch. She sacrifices her voice and endures excruciating pain with every step on land in exchange for human legs and the chance to win the love of a prince. This story's lyrical prose and straightforward narrative make it an excellent choice for intermediate learners seeking to expand their vocabulary and understanding of descriptive language.

Learn English with The Little Mermaid

  • Suits learners around level C1: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
  • 1,568 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 Little Mermaid in English for free?

Yes. The first chapters of The Little Mermaid 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.