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El Buscapié
El Buscapié

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of El Buscapié is here in full — 507 sentences across 102 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for El Buscapié
Context Illustration Reading 1/101 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.
The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.
The Table of Contents was added by the Transcriber.
The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.
However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

El Buscapié

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of El Buscapié is here in full — 507 sentences across 102 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/101 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.
/ɪn ðə tekst ˈvɜːrʒən aɪˈtælɪk ɪz dɪˈnoʊtəd baɪ ˌʌndərˈskɔːrz ənd boʊld tekst baɪ ðɪs/
Line 2
The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.
/ðə bʊk ˈkʌvər wɑːz ˈmɑːdəfaɪd baɪ ðə trænˈskraɪbər ənd ˈædəd tuː ðə ˈpʌblɪk doʊˈmeɪn/
Line 3
The Table of Contents was added by the Transcriber.
/ðə ˈteɪbəl ʌv ˈkɑːntents wɑːz ˈædəd baɪ ðə trænˈskraɪbər/
Line 4
The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.
Line 5
However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.
/ˌhaʊˈevər ˈeɪn.ʃənt tekst ˈkwoʊtɪd ɪn ðə bʊk hæz bɪn left ənˈtʃeɪndʒd/

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.

Academia noun US /ˌækəˈdiːmiə/

the academic world

From this reading “The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.”

denoted verb US /dɪˈnoʊtəd/

past form of “denote” — be a sign or indication of

From this reading “In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.”

domain noun US /doʊˈmeɪn/

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading “The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.”

Italic noun US /aɪˈtælɪk/

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading “In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.”

modified adjective US /ˈmɑːdəfaɪd/

changed in form or character

From this reading “The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.”

Transcriber noun US /trænˈskraɪbər/

a person who translates written messages from one language to another

From this reading “The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.”

unchanged adjective US /ənˈtʃeɪndʒd/

not made or become different

From this reading “However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.”

underscores noun US /ˌʌndərˈskɔːrz/

plural of “underscore” — a line drawn underneath (especially under written matter)

All words in this reading · 43

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.

AcademianounUS /ˌækəˈdiːmiə/

the academic world

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

adjustedadjectiveUS /əˈdʒʌstɪd/

altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

boldadjectiveUS /boʊld/

fearless and daring

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

ContentsnounUS /ˈkɑːntents/

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading The Table of Contents was added by the Transcriber.

coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

denotedverbUS /dɪˈnoʊtəd/

past form of “denote” — be a sign or indication of

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

domainnounUS /doʊˈmeɪn/

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

Española

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

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

ItalicnounUS /aɪˈtælɪk/

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.

mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

modifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəfaɪd/

changed in form or character

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Table of Contents was added by the Transcriber.

placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

quotedverbUS /ˈkwoʊtɪd/

past form of “quote” — repeat a passage from

From this reading However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.

RealadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

rulesnounUS /ruːlz/

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

SpainnounUS /speɪn/

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

SpanishnounUS /ˈspænɪʃ/

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

spellingnounUS /ˈspelɪŋ/

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading The spelling of Spanish names and places in Spain mentioned in the text has been adjusted to the rules set by the Academia Real Española.

TablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The Table of Contents was added by the Transcriber.

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

TranscribernounUS /trænˈskraɪbər/

a person who translates written messages from one language to another

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

unchangedadjectiveUS /ənˈtʃeɪndʒd/

not made or become different

From this reading However, ancient text quoted in the book has been left unchanged.

underscoresnounUS /ˌʌndərˈskɔːrz/

plural of “underscore” — a line drawn underneath (especially under written matter)

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/

an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint

From this reading In the text version Italic is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =this=.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The book cover was modified by the Transcriber and added to the public domain.

Chapter 1 of El Buscapié by Adolfo de Castro holds 507 sentences, grouped into 102 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 El Buscapié contain?

Chapter 1 holds 507 sentences of El Buscapié, unabridged, divided into 102 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of El Buscapié by Adolfo de Castro exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 507 sentences, grouped into 102 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 El Buscapié?

Work through the 102 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 102 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 El Buscapié

Common questions about reading El Buscapié by Adolfo de Castro on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of El Buscapié?

Yes. All 1529 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #64011 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of El Buscapié is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #64011, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does El Buscapié take to read?

About 127 minutes of reading across 306 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read El Buscapié section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of El Buscapié 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 El Buscapié

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

Version
A word that appears in the opening chapter of El Buscapié; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Italic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of El Buscapié; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Denoted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of El Buscapié; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Underscores
A word that appears in the opening chapter of El Buscapié; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.