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Pocket Kenkyusha Japanese Dictionary New Edition

by Shigeru Takebayashi (Editor), Kazuhiko Nagai (Editor)
4.6 out of 5 stars 16 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0198607489
ISBN-10: 0198607482
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  • Pocket Kenkyusha Japanese Dictionary
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  • The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary: Revised and Expanded
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  • Japanese Hiragana & Katakana for Beginners: First Steps to Mastering the Japanese Writing System (CD-ROM Included)
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 1041 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press; New edition (March 9, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0198607482
  • ISBN-13: 978-0198607489
  • Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 1.9 x 5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsOld standby sticks around.
By Kendrick Adams on August 14, 2007
Although the word "Pocket" is a misnomer considering this dictionary is standard sized it is a great dictionary. The same dictionary used to be published as "Merriam-Webster's Japanese-English Learner's Dictionary" but now Kenkyusha is publishing via Oxford, so naturally Oxford re-named the work, re-did the layout, updated the content, and copyright. Although I'm only assuming the content has been updated--I saw no specific signs it had been. The Webster's hardback was printed on a higher-grade, thinner, paper so a size comparison doesn't mean very much. However, the 1993 copyright for Webster's vs. 2007 for Oxford's should indicate a content upgrade. The Editor in Chief, Shigeru Takebayashi, is the same as well as using the same tables and style of notations. So anyone that was disappointed because Webster's went out of print can find a new home with this one.

-First, what this dictionary has that no other paper Japanese-English dictionary has, that I know of, is pitch accent marks.
-Head entries are in romaji followed by kana and if applicable kanji. The romaji turned me off in the beginning of my studies, but my romaji aversion was misplaced because I come back to this dictionary more than any other.
-Extensive use of example sentences. All example sentences are given in Japanese writing, romaji and English. And, nearly every alternate definition gets an example sentence as well.
-Many usage notes.
-Politeness levels are indicated.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsBEST OF THE 6 OR 7 JAPANESE DICTIONARIES ON MY SHELF JUST ADD A KANJI DICTIONARY
By PersonReviewing on April 1, 2011
Verified Purchase
I've used 6 or 7 print Japanese dicionariers and 2 software Japanese dictionaries, and this dictionary is by far the most usefull that I have yet to find.

It contains ample example sentences. It gives the verb type as RU, U or Irregular which is my favorite way of learning verbs. It gives the stem-form(pre masu form), the stem that -nai is added to for the negative present tense, and the TE form most of the time.

The enteries in the Japanese-English section consist of the word in roomaji, followed kana, and then followed by kanji (if it exists or is ever used for the word.)

There is a short grammar revies in the middle of the dictionary as well as a list of Japanese Political Parties and more.

I recomend looking words found in the English-Japanese section up in the Japanese-English section for more information - particularly verb conjugations.

In my opinion, the only other dictionary needed with this one for beginners to intermediate students, an equally ecconomical one, is "The Learners Kanji Dictionary" - if the student wishes to read/write Japanese.

Most kanji show up good in the print.

The only cavets that I have with this dictionary, and they are miniscule at that, are:
1. The roomaji is different. Like the way I just wrote roomaji (without the single o with the macron for the long "o" vowel sound. For some reason they put the macron on the "'n". - None of this is that bothersome though it only took me a few minutes to get used to it.
2. Second person pronouns, particularly "anata" and "anatatachi" which when used sometimes sound snide, rude, or makes the speaker sound more foreign - are not noted in the dictionary as such. These are used in Japanese speach occasionaly though.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsA sophisticated bilingual dictionary
By Kenn Caesius on June 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
It’s a standard bilingual dictionary as far as these kinds of dictionaries are concerned – it has two sections for English-Japanese and Romanized Japanese to English with smaller section for related information like grammar rules and verb conjugations. I bought this dictionary primarily on the used cost and positive reviews and I consider myself fortunate that it all worked out.

The pocket Kenkyusha Japanese dictionary is the Japanese Language entry from the Oxford series of bilingual dictionaries. While I am not familiar with the Oxford series, the Japanese entry is hefty and comprehensive book for the beginning and intermediate Japanese language student. It boasts 45,000 words and 64,000 translations (but you have to cut those numbers in half to gauge the range between the two sections) that cover the most common words that reader can will use in a normal friendly conversation or read in script if you can read the kana. It’s a great dictionary to have around, more if you if you are looking to move up from the beginner’s dictionary that is included in most self-study course.

About the only flaw is the “pocket” designation in the title - with its physical dimensions at 7 ¾ by 5 by 2 inches, it’s larger than the average paperback. If you are willing to exclude that factor, its still decent dictionary and real bargain in you are willing to take a chance on a used copy.
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5.0 out of 5 starsProvides the missing piece of Japanese pronunciation - accent
By John Armstrong on November 25, 2013
Did you know that Japanese has a system of word accent? There are numerous cases of words of different meaning that are spelled the same (in hiragana or romaji) that are distinguished in pronunciation by accent. A well-known example is (with accent conventionally indicated by the upper-half-only right bracket , for which I'll substitute ]):

ha]shi `chopsticks' (accent on the first syllable)
hashi] `bridge' (accent on the second syllable)
hashi `edge' (no accent)

Accent is realized as a drop in pitch after the accent. But in order to drop it needs to be elevated. This need is supplied by the rule that if the accent is on the first syllable of the word the word needs to start at a high pitch and then drop, while if the word has more than one syllable it starts low, then goes up in the second syllable (or in some cases within the first), and then stays high through the accent, after which it goes back down.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starseasy to use, easy to read and a great compilation.

This is a PERFECT book. I have been learning Japanese on my own for a while now, downloaded several apps for that goal but always fginding the right translator or the right... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Mary
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

great book

Published 13 months ago by yves Sánchez
5.0 out of 5 starsThe verb conjugations listed, make this a handy, easily readable,...

Pocket Kenkyusha contains some verb conjugations for most or all verbs listed. Though the conjugations aren't exhaustive, they are most helpful. Read more

Published 17 months ago by Robert Hann
3.0 out of 5 starsNot Pocket size despite the name

This is a rather large book. I was looking for something that was more portable than this book is. It is more for home use than travel

Published on May 6, 2014 by Derek Filzen
4.0 out of 5 starsVery good dictionary

As a someone starting to learn Japanese, it is very easy to use and easy to read. I find it very useful.

Published on March 13, 2014 by Heather Golden
5.0 out of 5 starsGood and useful dictionary

I got this dictionary when I became more interested in learning about pitches, and it is helpful for that. Not needing a magnifying glass for the furigana is a definite plus.

Published on February 8, 2014 by LDA
4.0 out of 5 starspittodrie

it is very worthwhile for the priceeasy to read,and quite handy for a japanese beginner like me.i reccomend it.buy it thanx

Published on August 10, 2013 by Reviews
5.0 out of 5 starsI Absolutely Love This Dictionary!

This is a great dictionary if you want a small dictionary that is easy to use. It's just perfect for me! :)

Published on February 2, 2013 by Ashley
5.0 out of 5 starsGood examples of usage

I bought this dictionary having liked the previous editions.

It has been improved by being made bi-directional. Read more

Published on April 18, 2012 by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsKenkyusha

I ordered 3 Kenkyusha Japanese Dictionaries. They were very heavy. I received the books within 4 weeks in perfect condition. Read more

Published on July 31, 2011 by Jonas Moham-Wild

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