Japanese - English electronic dictionary

[Richard7481]

I am after one of these to help with my study but the problem is that, of course, I can walk into Bic or Yodobashi and buy any one of the numerous types on offer but they are really designed for Japanese natives　who have a full understanding of the lingo. Are there any that are English native friendly i.e have hirgana or furigana translations etc.?

Cheers.

[annie]

Honestly, I haven't gone dictionary shopping since '98, but there weren't any that were designed specifically for foreigners back then.

My Canon Wordtank is decent, in that it has furigana over all of the kanji when you look them up and english definitions, but I think that's standard. There are lots of words that don't have definitions in English, and in those cases there's only the Japanese definition with no furigana.

I'd suggest asking the clerk at the shop for assistance. If you go to Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara, there are plenty of English speaking clerks there. Otherwise just ask anyone for an electronic dictionary that is 外国人に使いやすい.
And then play around with them, and see which one does the most of what you want it to do.

[ssocko123]

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[Richard7481]

Thanks for the replies

[JonB]

but I got my Japanese teacher to show me how to use the wordtank better. You get a lot of kanji but if you know how you can then look the kanji up to get the hiragana but it is not intuitive.

The RM2000 was the only one - now discountinued. But as previously said very limited.

I have to think that this is a missed opportunity by Cannon, Seiko etc

[ssocko123]

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[tori_ningen_fan]

Does anyone use a palm pilot? PAdict has worked well so far for me.

[JonB]

http://www.sharp.co.jp/papyrus/lineup/pw-j5000/index.html

Looks like it is designed for kids - but I'm not proud! Dit you get one? Is it any good?

[Ulver_684]

I am after one of these to help with my study but the problem is that, of course, I can walk into Bic or Yodobashi and buy any one of the numerous types on offer but they are really designed for Japanese natives　who have a full understanding of the lingo. Are there any that are English native friendly i.e have hirgana or furigana translations etc.?

Cheers.

Try out my dictionary if your interest, I really recommend it!

You have nothing to lose!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/15/techn ... ir&emc=cir

www.franklin.com

[sashimidimsum7250]

If you have a Nintendo DS, a cheap electronic dictionary is available:

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/arjj/

[5197205887644]

There are lots of words that don't have definitions in English, and in those cases there's only the Japanese definition with no furigana.


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http://www.thomassabosales.com/thomas-sabo-charms.html

[thomasbeswick9196]

: D ipod touch £130, download 'kotoba!' app, it's free and it contains similar words, example sentences and the stroke order! there are many other applications too. I bought a canon word tank : ( I should have just bought my ipod touch first!

[cloa513ch2629]

A big problem you will face is the number of Japanese words which dictionaries list but aren't ordinary Japanese words - many are one for linguistics. Japanese dictionary writers don't care whether its word that they'd ever use. My mobile dictionary is packed full of obscure words with English translation.

[team.relationships]

Hi thomasbeswick9196 and cloa513ch2629!

This app "Kotoba" is caled now "Imiwa" and I use it everyday.
I also use a 電磁辞書(denjijisho) from Casio which is in French, English and Japanese. It's designed for Japanese people, but you can highlight the words to reach the hiragana.
It's a bit expensive, but it's worth it.

This is right that sometimes the words are not really used, but in general, I always have the right one.

Thank you for your comments !

Mélanie
Team JapanesePod101.com

[cloa513ch2629]

Where its a 漢字　だけ　単語　Kanji only Japanese words does the app only list combinations that ordinary Japanese might use. Some tango have alternates that are rare.