Basic Japanese-English Dictionary (Paperback)

by The Japan Foundation (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
`The Basic Japanese English Dictionary is a very useful guide for beginners in the language, and a useful stepping stone in acquiring a more advanced knowledge of the written language. As such it can be confidently recommended.' Peter Barber, Language International

Product Description
Designed specially for English-speakers in the early stages of learning Japanese, the Basic Japanese-English Dictionary fulfills an ever-growing need for an easy-to-use guide to introductory Japanese. Anyone visiting Japan or working to establish commercial or cultural links with Japanese people will welcome this flexi-covered dictionary.

The dictionary contains over 2,800 entries which, along with providing basic meanings and grammatical information, also distinguishes between senses, lists compounds, and gives sample sentences and idiomatic expressions. Based on Japanese language teaching materials, studies of vocabulary in common use, dictionaries and consultations with people involved in teaching Japanese as a foreign language, the selection of vocabulary focuses on words in everyday use. It presents all the Japanese words and phrases in roman script with standard Japanese script alongside and arranges the headwords alphabetically. It also includes an English translation on the right-hand side of each page to enable the student to compare the two languages. Cross-references direct the user to words of contrasting or related meaning, and, where necessary, the dictionary provides notes on special usage. It also includes a useful appendix which gives an introduction to Japanese grammar.

The Basic Japanese-English Dictionary will enable any new student of Japanese to understand more easily the basic vocabulary and to use it in the actual speaking and writing of the language.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 976 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 18, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198643284
• ISBN-13: 978-0198643289
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,504,452 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good beginners book for translating japanese to english, November 10, 1999

By A Customer

This book is excellent for the beginner who only wants to translate japanese to english, as it is ONLY japanese-english. It does not contain especially many words, only 3000, but it covers the most usual phrases and words. One thing that is REALLY good is that the book is full of examples, sometimes 10-15 different for a word. All examples are written in romaji and KANA/KANJI. It also states the type of verb (I,II,III) which I personally find really useful. In the end of the book there is also a 30+ page introduction of japanese grammar, which is good. It is fun to read, due to the examples, and I use it together with my other dictionary which also has an english-japanese part. I find all words (almost) in that one, but I learn more from this.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Japanese Dictionary for the Student, December 19, 1999

By	James Rose (Boston) - See all my reviews

I have been the publisher for 3.5 years, and I have always suggested this dictionary as the best one for people who are just starting to master some Kanji and know the Kana well. Each entry is used in simple example Japanese language sentences, which I have found actually help the user learn more of the language each time the meaning of a new word is looked up. As a lexicographical text, it is useful to students, but perhaps not to scholars looking up arcane or technical expressions, but for anyone that is at the point where most texts and college courses leave you, this is a fantastic book.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars AAAAAGGGGHHHH!, June 11, 2000

By	"perfect1" (Feltham, Middlesex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Most prior reviews to this one will have you believe that this book is the answer to your prayers, if you have just started learning Japanese...... WRONG.......It will only work for you if you are smart enough to buy the reverse ie English to Japanese......and there are plenty of each way translation books about which are better for the complete beginner.. If you have learnt enough to get past the - (noun) wa (noun) desu - stage, and have a reasonable level of understanding Japanese, then this book is more in your league.