Customer Reviews

Kodansha's Basic English-Japanese Dictionary (Ide International Joint Research Project Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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I bought this book at a used bookstore. First of all, the quality of the book itself was surprising. I have a small library of Japanese books, and this is just what I have been looking for. It can be used as a dictionary, of course, but it can also be studied from too. It is very to the point without the need to second guess the book. By having example sentences with proper usage for each word, it presents the actual usage of the language as a by-product of explaining the actual words. This is what makes this book so special to me. And as far as the first reviewer's comment about not even having the word violence, he MUST be missing a page. To quote:
violence n. the use of strong physical force, etc.
1. hageshi-sa (adj(i)) stem of hageshii vehement + suf. sa (ness)
extreme intensity of force or strength, either physical or emotional (vehemence, intensity, passion)
example sentence
2. bo[okoo - an action involving strong physical force intended to harm or injure (fig. rape), outrage, attack, assault)
bo[oryoku - strong physical force used to arbitrarily carry out one's intentions (brute force)
example sentence

I have never seen a book like this before. If you get any supplementary book to go with a good textbook, get this. I might also suggest Yookoso Revised Edition as that main textbook as well.

This is a great Dictionary if you're planning to study abroad in Japan, or on a trip to Japan.

I just got back from Tokyo, to study Japanese for two months. I really wish I had this book. The words that you WILL NEED are in there. If you're hesitant to buy it because someone said they don't have certain words in it, it's false. The words you will need are in there, it also gives you examples how to use them, which is critical, because Japanese use the same words for many different things, and to know how to use it correstly can be difficult. This dictionary is the best I've seen. I went to Japan with a cheap dictionary, and it didn't help at all. The price is high, yes, but the money is well worth it. It is also a good resorce for those who are studing Japanese.

Kodansha rarely fails to dissapoint and this is no excepetion. Although the vocabulary listed is quite simple, the definitions and usage examples are some of the most extensive I've seen. Say goodbye to bad syntax with this dictionary, it won't let you use a new word wrong! However, my only complaint is the limited number of vocab, which is easily compensated for in other areas. If you're looking for sheer number of listed words though, try Kodansha's Furigana E-J/J-E dictionary...it's GREAT too! This dict. has an attractive presentation and overall a solid buy for beginners. Ganbatte yo!

I think this is the only dictionary of its type available....It is an excellent resourse regarding for using words in context. It contains both Roman and Japanese script types and adequate examples for each entry. That is the way a really good foreign language dictionary presents data. In addition there are word lists pertaining to specific fields such as medical words (but very basic) and science. One of my favorite features about the book is the word list in Japanese at the back that will help you if you need to look up a word in Japanese and find a meaning. However, I am far from being satisfied with it. For me it falls short for the following reasons: (1) When you buy a dictionary you want something that will give you the words you need when you need them. If you buy this thinking you have all you need, then you're going to be in for a disappointment. It just doesn't contain enough regularly used words. I have gone to this dictionary so many times to look something up just to find that is is not included. For example, the word "violence" is not included. That is not a lollapalooza of a word, is it? But it's not there. I know you have to be selective when writing a "basic" dictionary, but it means that you need another dictionary with you as well if you are a serious student of the language in any way. Secondly, and this is tied in with the first point, considering that it doesn't contain a lot of words, the price (especially if you buy it in Japan) is rather steep. I think it is a bit like a "toy" dictionary. If Kodansha were to go all the way and produce a comprehensive dictionary in this style, then you would really have something!!!