Customer Reviews

Larousse Advanced Dictionary: French-English/English-French (Larousse Bilingual Dictionaries) (French Edition)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Larousse makes some absolutely wonderful reference texts. This dictionary is really amazing. When I was shopping for a French-English dictionary I considered Oxford and Webster, but Larousse completely won me over with it's shear depth. It has 250,000 words and phrases, and 400,000 translations. It also comes with 24 themed pages of illustrations along with some color maps. Larousse calls it a dictionary with an encyclopedic touch and I would have to agree with them.

Not much of an update over the 2004 edition. The colour plates are nice, and the bigger print is easier to read than the tiny print used in my 2003 edition. I own several French dictionaries and have found the Larousse Advanced the best for not only defining words but for providing examples of how those words are used in a variety of contexts. The sample sentences are often delightful springboards to other useful words to add to one's vocabulary. Highly recommended if you're passionate about French.

When I was a teacher of French, my Larousse was a valued teaching aid, but before my retirement I gave it away as obsolete - there was no entry for computer! - and bought a soft-cover dictionary on nasty paper. Recently, with some reading to do in French, I located the 2005 Larousse Advanced Dictionary and have been delighted to receive it.
I am particularly impressed with the detail in definitions, with examples of usage; with the distiinction clearly made between UK and US usage; with the panels illustrating such topics as Les Menaces, La permission, Exprimer ses craintes; with the central pages giving examples of every kind of letter and postcard (formal and informal), CV and job application, postal address conventions etc; and with the detailed colour plates. It is a dictionary that repays time spent browsing...
I am left feeling that nobody does dictionaries as well as Larousse does. This would be an asset for any teacher of French (or French teacher of English) or school library. If only my earllier Larousse had been as detailed!

I am in the midpoint of my third semester of university-level French. Up to this point, I have been reasonably satisfied with using paperback French-English dictionaries. I have four of the paperbacks by different publishers. I have found that as you get into a level of course work that is more writing-intensive, you find that the French-English dictionaries that were the mainstay of your existence in high school and university French 101 and 102 are not meeting your needs. That is to say, I had gotten to the point where I could not find French equivalents of English words in my standard paperback dictionary. You know, when you have a course that requires a lot of writing, you need to be specific with the right words. For me, the Larousse Advanced Dictionary was like calling in the Varsity squad. It was like telling myself "the cavalry has arrived!" and that I will get the word or words that I need.

At this point in my education, this is the dictionary I need *right now*. It may be too advanced for most high school or university beginning French students, but it is just right for me *right now.* This is like the Abrams main battle tank of dictionaries. Or should I call it a "Dreadnought"? The ability to have the right word is important to me. Note that it is a big book, and you will not be carrying it to class. However, it is great to have in your room as a reference tool. It will help you find the right word. I would recommend this for library reference collections and upper-level students.

My french tutor used this dictionary for all the words which she, a native french speaker, did not know. So, there! What a recommendation!

This is the reference standard for desk dictionaries in french. It is easy to use but certainly thorough. If the word isn't here, you probably don't need to learn it.

One feature separates it from the pack: extensive colour pages of picture based word learning. And extensive sections of grammar review.

Highly recommended

Two words: Freaking Thorough!!

This things got everything including special sections with illustrations(like computer parts, cell phones, transportation, etc.)

Only setback: not too portable. :)

Wonderful dictionary, contains all one needs to study the French language. The only part I am unsatisifed with is the English to French verb's lack of reference to verb conjugation charts (eg. pattern (1)or (2)...) as in the French - English section of the dictionary. All of the info. is there, however.

I came from a non-english & non-french speaking country so I found this dictionary is a great help to my study.Not only did it help me to learn a new language easier{French} but it also helped me to improved my rusty English.
Surely,this dictionary is my beloved companion for many years to come.

I gave this 4 stars only because it is a very large and heavy dictionary. I purchased this one because it was recommended by the french teacher I had at that time. Although it's a good dictionary, it was not as useful to me because of the size, I would prefer a smaller one.

I received the dictionary more quickly than I'd expected--so that was pretty nice. It's exactly what I asked for, so I must say I'm pleased with the service provided.