Customer Reviews

The University of Chicago Spanish Dictionary

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The University of Chicago Spanish-English Dictionary is perhaps the only tool the advanced student of Spanish needs. It contains useful tables of conjugations for regular and irregular verbs as well as verbs with orthographic changes. It is packed with cultural information to help you manage the great diversity inherent in the Spanish language. A wealth of modern terminology useful in business and technology is included. There are tables of Spanish and English idioms to help the reader gain a more profound understanding of written text and the writer to express himself more authentically. The dictionary is easy to use and wonderfully laid out. I can't say enough good things about this dictionary. It's a must have!

Perhaps for basic 1-2 year Spanish, this dictionary may be adequate. However, anyone who wishes to read literature in Spanish will not find the vocabulary words they need in this dictionary. I speak from experience. Instead, I highly recommend the Oxford Pocket or the Oxford Desk dictionaries.

This spanish dictionary was bought with for my spanish 5/6 class because my teacher highly recommended it, and because she did not want us to have the Random House spanish dictionary, which is the only I had at the time. I have used this dictionary several times throughout the past month, and it has indeed proved itself worthy as a dictionary. There is one minor setback though. The format is a bit confusing at first. There are black boxes on the right side of each page that have the first two letters of the first words on the OPPOSITE page. When one is flipping through, trying to find a word, use the top header words as your guide, not these black boxes, for you will go past the word you are looking for. Other than this, this book is a bit hefty to carry around in one's bag. But I still recommend it for quick reference.

This is the best Spanish Dictionary I have ever used. I own four of them and I find this to be the best. 1.The Short history of the language is fantastic. It really explains some things beginner student will want to know. 2. The verb conjugations are necessary. If a dictionary doesn't have this, don't buy it. 3. It uses standard phonetic dictation. I reccomend all students of any language learn how to use the phonetic symbols. They will tell you how to speak the word very clearly. 4. The grammer section is good and brief, more than I would expect from a dictionary. 5. It explains regional differences. This is a must for Spanish since 22 countries speak it and there are regional differences between the regions. 6. It conveys shades of meaning quite well. The English to Spanish translation is very good. 7. The idiom table is very good. I used this dictionary in Mexico, and is the only spanish book I wouldn't be caught dead without while I was down there.

This is the dictionary we were recommended to buy in College Spanish. I recommend any language learner do a couple of things. First, go read How to Learn Any Language.
Ok, now that you've done that and come back to read this, here's what I recommend for you: get several dictionaries. That way you can check back and forth against the books to see the various translations provided. Then, based on all your target language reading, you can decide which word is the best, most nuanced word to use in your situation.

This dictionary routinely had the most recognized words from my readings and conversations with native speakers. It had the least argument-quotient.
It's clearly laid out and dense with words so any word you need should be in here (remember to check for conjugations, etc.).

This dictionary won't let you down.

This is the best English/Spanish Dictionary out there for most levels. I teach Spanish and ESL, and this is the one I always order for my students. It is also the one I use for all of my purposes. If I can't find what I'm looking for in this dictionary, I refer to one that is all in Spanish. It is easy to use and is the most up to date with respect to regional usages.

Despite my high regard for The University of Chicago, I must give this book the lowest possible rating. This is a poor dictionary. It is lacking many of the basic words that even a beginner needs to know. I have taken three adult education Spanish courses and all three teachers (Ph.D.s all) have recommened that students NOT buy this dictionary. There are simply too many more better choices. Save your dollars for another title.

This 4th Hardback Edition, published in 1987, is GREAT for school or for travelling and is MUCH better than the newer editions! It includes 43 pages of Spanish verb charts, grammar explanations AND several pictures, paragraphs, and easy to read type on the pages with good SPECIFIC information about the differences of Spanish in the various countries where it is spoken. As far as the definitions go, they are usually quite good for a smaller dictionary (The hardback version, which I recommend, is 5 by 8 inches and 475 pages.) An example, which I chose at random from just opening the dictionary to any page and pointing my finger: "trabar v. to join, fasten; to clasp; to shackle; to brace; to impede; - amistad con alguien to become friends with someone; - batalla to join in battle; - conversacion to be engaged in conversation; to engage in conversation; -se Riopl.(Rio Plata countries), Mex. (Mexico), Ven. (Venezuela) to stammer; -se de palabras to get into an argument." from Page 228. Wouldn't you agree that the definitions for that one, not very common word, is quite inclusive and complete? I think that you will probably enjoy using this inexpensive dictionary as much as I have over the years. Thank you for reading my book review in its entirety.

This is a great dictionary. I used in in high school for Spanish classes. I still find great reference to it to this day.
Easy to understand, clear and concise. I highly recommend it.

It is surprisingly difficult to find a good travelers' dictionary from American English to Latin American Spanish. Having tried many, I find this the best. Note that the common pocket edition has very small print.