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Candide
Candide

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Candide is here in full — 457 sentences across 92 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Candide
Context Illustration Reading 1/91 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
+------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.
| | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.
The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.
Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.
BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Candide

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Candide is here in full — 457 sentences across 92 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/91 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
+------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.
/fɔːr ə kəmˈpliːt lɪst pliːz siː ðə ˈbɑːtəm ʌv ðɪs ˈdɑːkjəment/
Line 2
| | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.
/ðə ˈpʌblɪʃərz wɪl biː ɡlæd tuː meɪl kəmˈpliːt lɪst ʌv ˈtaɪtəlz ɪn ðə ˈmɑːdərn ˈlaɪbreriː/
Line 3
The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.
/ðə lɪst ɪz ˌreprəˈzentətɪv ʌv ðə ɡreɪt ˈmɑːdərnz ənd ɪz wʌn ʌv ðə moʊst ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt ˌkɑːntrəˈbjuːʃənz tuː ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ ðæt hæz bɪn meɪd fɔːr ˈmeni jɪrz/
Line 4
Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.
/ˈevəri ˈriːdər ʌv bʊks wɪl faɪnd ˈtaɪtəlz hiː niːdz æt ə loʊ praɪs ɪn æn əˈtræktɪv fɔːrm/
Line 5
BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

contributions noun US /ˌkɑːntrəˈbjuːʃənz/

plural of “contribution” — the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result

From this reading “The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.”

document noun US /ˈdɑːkjəment/

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading “+------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.”

inc noun US /ɪŋk/

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading “BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.”

Moderns noun US /ˈmɑːdərnz/

plural of “modern” — a contemporary person

From this reading “The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.”

Publishers noun US /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/

plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business

From this reading “| | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.”

publishing noun US /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading “The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.”

representative noun US /ˌreprəˈzentətɪv/

a person who represents others

From this reading “The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.”

titles noun US /ˈtaɪtəlz/

plural of “title” — a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading “| | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.”

All words in this reading · 52

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

BONI

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

bottomnounUS /ˈbɑːtəm/

the lower side of anything

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

completeverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

contributionsnounUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈbjuːʃənz/

plural of “contribution” — the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

documentnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəment/

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

GreatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

of great significance or value

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

INCnounUS /ɪŋk/

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

LibrarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/

a room where books are kept

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

listverbUS /lɪst/

give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

LIVERIGHT

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BONI AND LIVERIGHT, INC.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

mailnounUS /meɪl/

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

ModernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

ModernsnounUS /ˈmɑːdərnz/

plural of “modern” — a contemporary person

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

needsadverbUS /niːdz/

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

pleaseverbUS /pliːz/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

pricenounUS /praɪs/

the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

PublishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/

plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

publishingnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

readernounUS /ˈriːdər/

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Every reader of books will find titles he needs at a low price in an attractive form.

representativenounUS /ˌreprəˈzentətɪv/

a person who represents others

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading +------------------------------------------------------------+ | For a complete list, please see the bottom of | | this document.

titlesnounUS /ˈtaɪtəlz/

plural of “title” — a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading | | | +------------------------------------------------------------+ The Publishers will be glad to mail complete list of titles in the Modern Library.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading The list is representative of the Great Moderns and is one of the most important contributions to publishing that has been made for many years.

Chapter 1 of Candide by Voltaire holds 457 sentences, grouped into 92 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Candide contain?

Chapter 1 holds 457 sentences of Candide, unabridged, divided into 92 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Candide by Voltaire exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 457 sentences, grouped into 92 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Candide?

Work through the 92 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 92 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Candide

Common questions about reading Candide by Voltaire on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Candide?

Yes. All 1821 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #19942 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Candide is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #19942, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Candide take to read?

About 151 minutes of reading across 365 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Candide section by section

How to work through Candide section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of Candide to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Candide

Words and structures a reader meets early in Candide, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Complete
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Candide; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Please
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Candide; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bottom
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Candide; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Document
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Candide; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.