Customer Reviews

Oxford Beginner's Japanese Dictionary

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

 

 

I have looked for an easy-to-use bi-directional Japanese-English dictionary for a long time and this is one of the best I have found. The dictionary is easy to use and packed full of informative commentary to help a beginner Japanese student who has a functioning knowledge of hiragana. Some people might criticize the book for being lacking in vocabulary, but as far as beginners go, I believe it to be a very useful and easy-to-use book.

Some pros:
1. Dictionary is bi-direction (has a J-E and E-J)
2. The Japanese stands out from the English with a very easy to see blue hiragana text, with the kanji characters next to them as well.
3. Easy to understand break-down of different types of Japanese verbs.
4. Dictionary entries have useful commentary for sayings, idiomatic expressions, etc. as they come up.
5. An excellent "Learning and Lifestyle" kit in the back of the dictionary gives a whole array of tools to help beginners (and anyone who is learning Japanese) a wide array of need-to-know words, cultural hints, kana charts, phrases, etc.
6. Dictionary is small and compact, but extensive. It fits nicely inside a backpack with the rest of your college books!

As a Japanese language beginner living in Japan, I think this bi-directional dictionary is the best one out there.

In addition to the merits discussed in other reviews, I would add that the dictionary gives Japanese-to-English entries for verbs in the neutral polite ("masu") and "te" forms, which is how language beginners will likely encounter new verbs. (The entry redirects you to the corresponding dictionary form.) I found this to be extremely useful, and other dictionaries I tried lacked this; hence those dictionaries were rather useless in this context.

I have used this dictionary through two years of formal study as well as some light field use. The use of kana and kanji for the translations is helpful in familiarization as well as comprehension, especially since the context sentences help clarify meaning. Having the combination of kana pronunciation and kanji written has helped my confidence when practicing composition.

The verb guide is handy for quick reminders, and daily vocabulary sections are likewise appreciated.

A great beginning-intermediate collegiate student's J-E, E-J dictionary that does not hobble the user with romaji.

I got this to force myself to use Katakana. Romaji is just a crutch and I think it's better to go with Kana as soon as you can. There are other useful sections too. A good basic beginners Japanese dictionary that uses Kana.

I'm learning Japanese, and this dictionary is really helpful, it has most of the words that I need. But this dictionary is only for beginner. It doesn't have some of the difficult words.

For some reason my 13-yr old Caucasian niece LOVES all things Japan ... I think it started with anime and Manga. She absolutely loves this dictionary, esp. the addendums in the back that inform about Japanese culture, practices, and slang. Really, she can't put this book down!

The Oxford's beginner's Dictionary is a good pocket Dictionary to anyone learning japanese.
Mine came with a little print default but it's ok.
Anyway ... It starts With the Japanese-English Dictionary, wich is organized in the Japanese way ( Good For those who intend to work with some more advanced stuff). The Only Problem is it has too little Kanji ( They Could put the Kanji version of the words next to the hiragana version... and there are little words who have it).
I was expecting to see a chart of verbs a little more comprising than the one provided. And I also expected an adjective's chart.
The Hiragana and Katakana Charts are good.
Furthermore it has a good introduction on how to use the dictionary so that those who are not used to this kind of organization can get t used to it. Yet it has real small characters, though it is understandable seen as it is one of the most comprehensive Pocket dictionaries... it fits in your hand and in any pocket.
I think the quality is worth the investment ( I've seen another pocket dictionary much more expensive and absolutely worthless...)
The Oxford Beginner's Japanese Dictionary A Must for any Japanese Learner.

This is a useful book and is excellent in having hiragana as well as katakana and even a little Kanji. The content is very clear to use ane I liked the use of colours to assist the searching. Only one issue is the order used in hiragana which uses a different system to the one generally taught to begginers. Thus they should have provided a book marker with a tabulation of the order in hiragana .

This is a nicely put together dictionary, but the publishers aren't kidding when they say "beginner's". I only recommend it for people just starting their study of Japanese, or for short-term visitors to Japan such as tourists who could use it to communicate simple expressions to enrich their Japan visiting experience.

Ivan Rorick

Very good experience.The book was in very good condition, and arrived in the time they said. Thank you.