The Emperor's New Clothes

Many years (Viele Jahre) ago (her) there lived (lebte) an emperor (ein Kaiser) who cared (der kümmerte) so much (so viel) about new clothes (über neue Kleidung) that (dass) he spent (er ausgab) all his money (all sein Geld) on (dafür) dressing (sich zu kleiden) pretentious (protzig). He (Er) didn't care (kümmerte sich nicht) about his soldiers (um seine Soldaten), didn't care (kümmerte sich nicht) about theater (um Theater), and didn't like (und liebte es nicht) to go (zu fahren) to the forest (in den Wald), except (außer) to show off (um vorzuführen) his new clothes (seine neue Kleidung). He (Er) changed clothes (zog die Kleidung um) several times (mehrmals) a day (am Tag), and just (und ebenso) as one said (wie man sagte) of a king (von einem König), he is in the town hall (er ist im Rathaus), here one always said (so sagte man hier immer): "The emperor (Der Kaiser) is in the wardrobe (ist in der Garderobe)!"

In the big city (In der großen Stadt) where he lived (in der er wohnte), things were (ging es) very lively (sehr munter her).

Many years ago there lived an emperor who cared so much about new clothes that he spent all his money on dressing pretentious. He didn't care about his soldiers, didn't care about theater, and didn't like to go to the forest, except to show off his new clothes. He changed clothes several times a day, and just as one said of a king, he is in the town hall, here one always said: "The emperor is in the wardrobe!"

In the big city where he lived, things were very lively.

lived – lebte; to live - leben

cared – kümmerte sich; to care - kümmern

spent – ausgab, to spend - ausgeben

didn't care - kümmerte sich nicht

said – sagte; to say - sagen

is – ist; to be - sein

were – waren; to be - sein

Many strangers (Viele Fremde) arrived (kamen an) every day (jeden Tag), and one day (und eines Tages) two swindlers (zwei Betrüger) also (auch) arrived (kamen), who pretended (die gaben sich aus) to be weavers (für Weber) and said (und sagten) that they (dass sie) knew how (verstanden wie) to weave (zu weben) the most beautiful fabric (den schönsten Stoff), imaginable (den man sich denken konnte). Not only (Nicht nur) were the colors (seien die Farben) and the pattern (und das Muster) unusually beautiful (ungewöhnlich schön), but the clothes (sondern auch die Kleider) made (gemacht) from the fabric (die aus dem Stoff) were also supposed to have the wonderful property (sollten die wunderbare Eigenschaft besitzen) of being invisible (unsichtbar zu sein) to anyone (für jeden) who was unfit (der nicht taugte) for his office (für sein Amt) or who was unforgivably stupid (oder der unverzeihlich dumm sei). "Those would be (Das wären ja) splendid clothes (prächtige Kleider)," thought the emperor (dachte der Kaiser); "if I had such (wenn ich solche hätte) clothes (Kleider), I could (ich könnte) find out (dahinterkommen) which men (welche Männer) in my empire (in meinem Reich) are unfit (nicht taugen) for the office (zu dem Amt) they hold (sie haben), I could distinguish (ich könnte unterscheiden) the clever (die Klugen) from the stupid (von den Dummen)!"

"Yes, the fabric (Ja, der Stoff) must be woven (muss gewebt werden) for me at once (für mich sofort)!"

Many strangers arrived every day, and one day two swindlers also arrived, who pretended to be weavers and said that they knew how to weave the most beautiful fabric imaginable. Not only were the colors and the pattern unusually beautiful, but the clothes made from the fabric were also supposed to have the wonderful property of being invisible to anyone who was unfit for his office or who was unforgivably stupid. "Those would be splendid clothes," thought the emperor; "if I had such clothes, I could find out which men in my empire are unfit for the office they hold, I could distinguish the clever from the stupid!"

"Yes, the fabric must be woven for me at once!"

arrived – kamen an; to arrive - ankommen

pretended – gaben sich aus; to  pretend - sich ausgeben

said – gesagt; to say - sagen

knew – wusste; to know – verstehen, wissen

to weave - weben

made – gemacht; to make - machen

supposed – sollte; to suppose - sollen

thought – dachte; to think - denken

wonderful - wunderbar

splendid - prächtig

clever - klug

He gave (Er gab) the two swindlers (den beiden Betrügern) a lot of money (viel Geld) so that they (so dass sie) could begin their work (ihre Arbeit beginnen sollten). They also set (Sie stellten auch) up two looms (zwei Webstühle auf), pretended to work (taten als ob sie arbeiteten), but they had nothing (aber sie hatten nichts) at all on the looms (nicht das Geringste auf den Webstühlen). Nevertheless (Trotzdem), they demanded (verlangten sie) the finest silk (die feinste Seide) and the most magnificent (und das prächtigste) gold (Gold), but they put (aber sie steckten) it in their own pockets (in die eigenen Taschen) and worked (und arbeiteten) on the empty looms (an den leeren Webstühlen) until late in the night (bis spät in die Nacht hinein). "Now I want (Nun möchte ich) to know (wissen) how far (wie weit) they are with the fabric (sie mit dem Stoff sind)!" thought the emperor (dachte der Kaiser), but he became afraid (aber er bekam Angst), when he thought (wenn er daran dachte) that no one (dass keiner) who was stupid (der dumm sei) or bad (oder schlecht) at his office (in seinem Amt (sei)) could see it (konnte ihn sehen).

He gave the two swindlers a lot of money so that they could begin their work. They also set up two looms, pretended to work, but they had nothing at all on the looms. Nevertheless, they demanded the finest silk and the most magnificent gold, but they put it in their own pockets and worked on the empty looms until late at night. "Now I want to know how far they are with the fabric!" thought the emperor, but he became afraid when he thought that no one who was stupid or bad at his office could see it.

gave – gab, to give - geben

to set up - aufstellen

pretended – taten als ob; to pretend – vorgeben, so tun als ob

demanded - verlangten

could see – konnte sehen

finest - die feinste; fine - feine

empty - leer

late - spät

far - weit

Although (Obwohl) he believed (er glaubte), that he for nothing (dass er  nichts) to fear (zu fürchten) need (brauche), but he wanted (aber er wollte) first another (erst einen anderen) to send (senden). "I will send (Ich werde senden) my old (meinen alten), honest minister (ehrlichen Minister) to the weavers (zu den Webern)," thought the emperor (dachte der Kaiser), he can it (er kann es) best judge (am besten beurteilen), and no one is (und niemand ist) better suited (taugt besser) for his office (für sein Amt) than he (als er)!" Now went the old (Nun ging der alte), good minister (gute Minister) into the hall (in den Saal hinein), where the two swindlers (wo die zwei Betrüger) sat (saßen) and worked (und arbeiteten) on the empty looms (an den leeren Webstühlen). "God (Gott) save us (behüte uns)!" thought (dachte) the old minister (der alte Minister) and opened (und riss) his eyes (seine Augen) wide (auf). "I can't see anything (Ich kann nichts sehen)!" But he didn't say that (Aber das sagte er nicht).

Although he believed that he had nothing to fear, he wanted to send someone else first. "I will send my old, honest minister to the weavers," thought the emperor, "he can judge it best, and no one is better suited for his office than he!" Now the old, good minister went into the hall where the two swindlers sat and worked on the empty looms. "God save us!" thought the old minister and opened his eyes wide. "I can't see anything!" But he didn't say that.

to fear - fürchten

to send - senden

is suited – taugt; to suit - taugen

sat – saßen; to sit - sitzen

open wide - aufreißen

can't see – kann nicht sehen

didn't say – sagte nichts

Both swindlers (Beide Betrüger) asked him (baten ihn) to step closer (näher zu treten) and asked (und fragten) if it wasn't (ob es nicht) a pretty pattern (ein hübsches Muster) and beautiful colors (und schöne Farben seien). Then (Dann) they pointed (sie zeigten) to the empty loom (auf den leeren Stuhl) and the poor (und der arme), old minister (alte Minister) continued (fuhr fort) to open his eyes wide (seine Augen aufzureißen), but he could (aber er konnte) see nothing (nichts sehen), for (denn) there was (es war) nothing there (nichts da). "Lord God (Herr Gott)," thought he (dachte er), "should I be stupid (sollte ich dumm sein)? That have I never believed (Das habe ich nie geglaubt), and that must (und das darf) no one know (kein Mensch wissen)!" "Should I not (Sollte ich nicht) be fit (taugen) for my office (zu meinem Amt)? No, and I won't (Nein und ich werde nicht) tell (erzählen) anyone (jemandem) that I can't see (dass ich nicht sehen kann) the fabric (den Stoff)!" "Well (Nun), you don't say anything (Sie sagen nichts) about it (dazu)?" asked the one of the weavers (fragte einer von den Webern).

Both swindlers asked him to step closer and asked if it wasn't a pretty pattern and beautiful colors. Then they pointed to the empty loom and the poor, old minister continued to open his eyes wide, but he could see nothing, for there was nothing there. "Lord God," thought he, "should I be stupid? That have I never believed, and no one must know that!" "Should I not be fit for my office? No, and I won't tell anyone that I can't see the fabric!" "Well, you don't say anything about it?" asked one of the weavers.

asked – fragte

to step closer – näher treten

asked (past tense of ask) - ask - fragen

to continue - fortfahren

to believe - glauben

won't tell – werde nicht erzählen; to tell - erzählen

empty - leer

poor - arm

old - alt

wide – weit

"Oh, he is pretty (Oh, er ist hübsch), beautiful (wunderschön)!" replied (antwortete) the old minister (der alte Minister). "This pattern (Dieses Muster) and these colors (und diese Farben)! – Yes (Ja), I will tell (Ich werde sagen) the emperor (dem Kaiser) that I like (dass ich mag) the fabric very much (den Stoff sehr gut)!" "Well (Nun), that pleases us (das freut uns)!" said (sagten) both weavers (beide Weber), and after that (und darauf) they named (sie benannten) all the colors (alle Farben) and explained (und erklärten) the strange pattern (das seltsame Muster). The old minister (Der alte Minister) remembered (merkte sich) everything well (alles gut), so that he (damit er) could say the same (dasselbe sagen konnte) when he returned (wenn er zurückkommt) to the emperor (zum Kaiser), and he did so (und so tat er auch). Now demanded (Nun verlangten) the swindlers (die Betrüger) more money (mehr Geld), more silk (mehr Seide), and more gold (und mehr Gold).

"Oh, he is pretty, beautiful!" replied the old minister. "This pattern and these colors! – Yes, I will tell the emperor that I like the fabric very much!" "Well, that pleases us!" said both weavers, and after that they named all the colors and explained the strange pattern. The old minister remembered everything well, so that he could say the same when he returned to the emperor, and he did so. Now demanded the swindlers more money, more silk, and more gold.

to reply - antworten

to tell - sagen

to like - gefallen

to explain - erklären

to remember - sich merken

to demand - verlangen

They put (Sie steckten) everything (alles) in their own pockets (in ihre eigenen Taschen), no thread (kein Faden) came (kam) onto the loom (auf den Webstuhl), but they continued (aber sie fuhren fort) to work (zu arbeiten) on the empty looms (an den leeren Stühlen) as before (wie bisher). The emperor (Der Kaiser) soon sent (sandte bald) another (einen anderen) capable statesman (tüchtigen Staatsmann hin), to see (um zu sehen) if the material (ob das Zeug) would soon be ready (bald fertig sei). But it was like the first (Es ging ihm aber wie dem ersten), he looked and looked (er guckte und guckte), and could (und konnte) see nothing (nichts sehen). "Isn't that not (Ist das nicht) an extraordinary (ein außergewöhnlicher) and pretty fabric (und hübscher Stoff)?" asked the two swindlers (fragten die beiden Betrüger) and showed (und zeigten) and explained (und erklärten) the magnificent pattern (das prächtige Muster), that wasn't there (das nicht da war) at all (gar nicht). "I'm not stupid (Ich bin nicht dumm)," thought the man (dachte der Mann) - "so it's my good office (also es ist mein gutes Amt), to which I am not suited (zu dem ich nicht tauge)!" Therefore (Daher), he praised (er lobte) the fabric (den Stoff) he didn't see (den er nicht sah).

They put everything in their own pockets, no thread came onto the loom, but they continued to work on the empty looms as before. The emperor soon sent another capable statesman to see if the material would soon be ready. But it was like the first, he looked and looked, and could see nothing. "Isn't that an extraordinary and pretty fabric?" asked the two swindlers and showed and explained the magnificent pattern that wasn't there at all. "I'm not stupid," the man thought - "so it's my good office that I'm not suited for!" Therefore, he praised the fabric he didn't see.

sent – sandte; to send - senden

to look - gucken

to ask - fragen

to show - zeigen

to praise - loben

ready - fertig

first - erste

magnificent - prächtig

"Yes (Ja), it's very beautiful (er ist sehr schön)!" he said (sagte er) to the emperor zum (Kaiser). All the people (Alle Menschen) in the city (in der Stadt) spoke (sprachen) of the magnificent fabric (von dem prächtigen Stoff). Now (Nun) wanted the emperor (wollte der Kaiser) it himself to see (ihn selbst sehen). With a group (Mit einer Gruppe) of chosen men (auserwählter Männer), he went to (er ging zu) the two swindlers (den beiden Betrügern hin), who now (die nun) wove (webten) with all their might (aus allen ihren Kräften), but without fiber (aber ohne Faser) or thread (oder Faden). "Yes (Ja), isn't that not tasteful (ist das nicht geschmackvoll)?" said the two (sagten die beiden) honest statesmen (ehrlichen Staatsmänner). "Will Your Majesty (Wollen Eure Majestät) see (sehen) what pattern (welches Muster), what colors (welche Farben)?" and then (und dann) they pointed (sie zeigten) to the empty loom (auf den leeren Webstuhl), for they believed (denn sie glaubten) that the others (dass die anderen) could see the fabric (den Stoff sehen konnten).

"Yes, it's very beautiful!" he said to the emperor. All the people in the city spoke of the magnificent fabric. Now the emperor wanted to see it himself. With a group of chosen men, he went to the two cunning swindlers, who now wove with all their might, but without fiber or thread. "Yes, isn't that tasteful?" said the two honest statesmen. "Will Your Majesty see what pattern, what colors?" and then they pointed to the empty loom, for they believed that the others could see the fabric.

spoke – sprachen; to speak - sprechen

to believe - glauben

chosen - auserwählt

tasteful - geschmackvoll

"What (Was)!" thought the emperor (dachte der Kaiser) - "I see (Ich sehe) nothing at all (gar nichts)! This is terrible (Das ist furchtbar)! Am I stupid (Bin ich dumm)? Am I not fit to be emperor (Tauge ich nicht Kaiser zu sein)? That would (Das wäre) be the most terrible (das Schrecklichste) thing that could happen to me (das mir passieren könnte)." "Oh (Oh), he is very elegant (er ist sehr elegant)," he said (sagte er) and nodded (und nickte) with satisfaction (zufrieden). He didn't want (Er wollte nicht) to say (sagen) that he (dass er) couldn't see anything (nichts sehen konnte). The whole group of men (Die ganze Männergruppe), saw also nothing (sah auch nichts), but they said (aber sie sagten) the same as the emperor (dasselbe wie der Kaiser): "Oh (Oh), the fabric is enchanting (der Stoff ist bezaubernd)!" They advised him (Sie rieten ihm) to wear (zu tragen) these new magnificent clothes (diese neuen prächtigen Kleider) the first time (das erste Mal) at the big festival (bei dem großen Fest), that was approaching (das bevorstand).

"What!" thought the emperor - "I see nothing at all! This is terrible! Am I stupid? Am I not fit to be emperor? That would be the most terrible thing that could happen to me." "Oh, he is very elegant," he said, and nodded with satisfaction. He didn't want to say that he couldn't see anything. The whole group of men also saw nothing, but they said the same as the emperor: "Oh, the fabric is enchanting!" They advised him to wear these new magnificent clothes the first time at the big festival that was approaching.

saw – sahen; to see - sehen

to advise - raten

to wear - tragen

to approach - bevorstehen

terrible - furchtbar

most terrible – das schlimmste; terrible - schrecklich

whole – ganz

"It's splendid, excellent!" (Er ist herrlich, ausgezeichnet!) everyone in the city (alle in der Stadt) said (sagten). The emperor (Der Kaiser) even awarded (verlieh sogar) each of the swindlers (jedem der Betrüger) a medal (einen Orden). The whole night (Die ganze Nacht) before the morning (vor dem Morgen) when the festival was to take place (an dem das Fest stattfinden sollte), the swindlers were up (die Betrüger waren auf) and had lit (und hatten angezündet) sixteen candles (sechzehn Kerzen) so that they (damit man sie) could (konnte) be well observed (gut beobachten) at their work (bei ihrer Arbeit). People (Die Leute) could see (konnten sehen) that they were busy (dass sie stark beschäftigt waren) finishing (mit der Fertigstellung) the emperor's new clothes (des Kaisers neuen Kleider). 

"It's splendid, excellent!" everyone in the city said. The emperor even awarded each of the swindlers a medal. The whole night before the morning when the festival was to take place, the swindlers were up and had lit sixteen candles so that they could be well observed at their work. People could see that they were busy finishing the emperor's new clothes.

excellent - ausgezeichnet

to take place – stattfinden

had lit – angezündet

finishing - beenden

They pretended (Sie taten als ob) to take (sie nähmen) the fabric (den Stoff) from the loom (von dem Webstuhl), they cut into the air (sie schnitten in der Luft) with large scissors (mit großen Scheren), they sewed with sewing needles (sie nähten mit Nähnadeln) without thread (ohne Faden) and finally (und zuletzt) said (sagten):
"Look, (Sieht) now the clothes are ready (nun sind die Kleider fertig)!"
"The fabric (Der Stoff) is as light (ist so leicht) as a spider's web (wie Spinnwebe); one would think (man konnte glauben), one has nothing (man habe nichts) on one's body (auf dem Körper), but that is (aber das ist) precisely (gerade) the beauty of it (die Schönheit dabei)!"

"Yes!" (Ja!) said all the officials (sagten alle Beamten Beamten), but they could (aber sie konnten) see nothing (nichts sehen), for there was nothing there (denn es war nichts da).

They pretended to take the fabric from the loom, they cut into the air with large scissors, they sewed with sewing needles without thread and finally said: "Look, now the clothes are ready!" "The fabric is as light as a spider's web; one would think one has nothing on one's body, but that is precisely the beauty of it!"

"Yes!" said all the officials, but they could see nothing, for there was nothing there.

to pretend – so tun als ob

to cut – schneiden

precisely – genau

nothing - nichts

The emperor (Der Kaiser) took off (legte ab) his clothes (seine Kleider), and the swindlers (und die Betrüger) pretended (gaben vor), to put on (anzuziehen) each piece (jedes Stück) of the new clothes (der neuen Kleider), which were supposed to be finished (welche fertig genäht sein sollten), and the emperor (und der Kaiser) turned in front of the mirror (drehte sich vor dem Spiegel).
"How well they fit (Wie gut sie sitzen)!" everyone said (sagten alle). "What a pattern (Welches Muster), what colors (welche Farben)!"
"Look, (Seht) I'm ready (ich bin fertig)!" said the emperor (sagte der Kaiser). "Doesn't it fit well (Sitzt er nicht gut)?" and then (und dann) he turned (er wendete sich) again (nochmals) to the mirror (zu dem Spiegel); for it was to seem (denn es sollte scheinen) as if he (als ob er) was carefully examining (sorgfältig betrachte) his clothes (seine Kleider).

The emperor took off his clothes, and the swindlers pretended to put on each piece of the new clothes, which were supposed to be finished, and the emperor turned in front of the mirror. "How well they fit!" everyone said. "What a pattern, what colors!" "Look, I'm ready!" said the emperor. "Doesn't it fit well?" and then he turned again to the mirror; for it was to seem as if he was carefully examining his clothes.

took off – auszog, hat ausgezogen; to take off – sich ausziehen

turned – drehte sich; to turn – drehen

carefully – sorgfältig

The servants (Die Diener) who had the right (die das Recht hatten) to carry the train (die Schleppe zu tragen) grasped (griffen) at the floor (gegen den Fußboden) with their hands (mit ihen Händen) as if picking up the train (als ob sie die Schleppe aufhoben). They walked (Sie gingen) and pretended (und taten als), to hold (hielten sie) something (etwas) in the air (in der Luft). They dared (Sie wagten) not, to let it be noticed (es nicht merken zu lassen) that they could see nothing (dass sie nichts sehen konnten).
So the emperor (So der Kaiser) walked off (ging los), and all (und alle) the people (Menschen) on the street (auf der Straße) and in the windows (und in Fenstern) spoke (sprachen):
"How incomparable (Wie unvergleichlich) are the emperor's (sind des Kaisers) new clothes (neue Kleider)! What a train (Welche Schleppe) he has (er hat) on his garment (an seinem Kleide)!
No one wanted (Niemand wollte) to let it be noticed (es sich merken lassen) that he saw nothing (dass er nichts sah); for then (denn dann) he would have been unfit (er hätte nicht getaugt) for his office (zu seinem Amt) or would have been very stupid (oder wäre sehr dumm gewesen).

The servants who had the right to carry the train grasped at the floor with their hands as if picking up the train. They walked and pretended to hold something in the air. They dared not let it be noticed that they could see nothing. So the emperor walked off, and all the people on the street and in the windows spoke:

"How incomparable are the emperor's new clothes! What a train he has on his garment!

No one wanted to let it be noticed that he saw nothing; for then he would have been unfit for his office or would have been very stupid.

dared not – wagten nicht; to dare - wagen

to let - lassen

spoke – sprachen; to speak - sprechen

let it be noticed – merken lassen

would have been – wäre gewesen

"But he has (Aber er hat) nothing on (gar nichts an)!" finally (endlich) said a small child (sagte ein kleines Kind).
Suddenly (Plötzlich) everyone began (fingen alle an), to whisper (zu flüstern) about what (darüber was) the child (das Kind) had said (gesagt hatte).
"But (Aber) he has (er hat) nothing on (gar nichts an)!" finally (zuletzt) cried the whole crowd (rief das ganze Volk).
The emperor (Dem Kaiser) quickly (schnell) became (wurde) very embarrassed (sehr peinlich), for he finally (denn er endlich) understood (verstand), that they were right (dass sie Recht hatten). However (Jedoch), he decided (entschied er sich), to continue (weiter) marching (zu marschieren), and his servants (und seine Diener) followed him (folgten ihm), carrying (trugen) the train (die Schleppe) that wasn't there at all (die gar nicht da war war).

"But he has nothing on!" finally said a small child. Suddenly everyone began to whisper about what the child had said.

"But he has nothing on!" finally cried the whole crowd.

The emperor quickly became very embarrassed, for he finally understood that they were right. However, he decided to continue marching, and his servants followed him, carrying the train that wasn't there at all.

began – fingen an; to beginn – anfangen

to whisper – flüstern

to continue – weitermachen

understood – verstand, hat verstanden; to understand – verstehen