+- kanji koohii FORUM (http://forum.koohii.com)
+-- Forum: Learning Japanese (http://forum.koohii.com/forum-4.html)
+--- Forum: Learning resources (http://forum.koohii.com/forum-9.html)
+--- Thread: Japanese Electronic Dictionaries (/thread-9453.html)
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - PotbellyPig - 2012-05-13
I was wondering if Japanese Electronic Dictionaries such as the Casio EX-Word XD-D9800 are still preferable to using an iPhone/iPad with various japanese dctionaries installed (Midori, Daijisen, etc.). I've read the electronic dictionaries such as the XD-D9800 model have some of the best dictionaries pre-loaded on the market. Is the input method better/faster with the dual screens and are the dictionaries, such as Kenkyusha better than anything on the iPhone?
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - partner55083777 - 2012-05-13
Most dictionaries used by common electronic dictionaries are also available in epwing format and therefore usable on your computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.
I did a quick search for the electronic dictionary you mentioned, and most 国語 dictionaries from this page (http://casio.jp/exword/products/model/dic/?code=XD-D9800&navi=l4D_01) are available in epwing format, and therefore usable on any device you may have.
I don't know about the 英和 dictionaries. The only 英和 dictionary I ever really use is 研究社 新和英大辞典 第５版, and it is also available in epwing format.
There are also more arguments for/against electronic dictionaries in this thread: http://forum.koohii.com/showthread.php?pid=167735#pid167735
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - rich_f - 2012-05-13
It's part an issue of form factor, what you're used to, and what you're willing to pay. If you like having a physical keyboard, and you want the stylus with the ability to draw kanji, *and* you have the extra money for it, then the Casio is a good dictionary.
If you don't like carrying around something extra, and you don't care about the interface, then you may find it annoying.
I've got the XD-B8600 and I love it. I put the 研究社新和英大辞典第5版 on mine; it cost 10,000 yen extra or so. But that's the dictionary I use the most, along with the NHK Pronunciation/Pitch Accent dictionary, which is really handy, because it pronounces the words for you through the little speaker.
But it doesn't really fit in my pockets very well. It's about the same size as a bunko-sized book. Too wide.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - PotbellyPig - 2012-05-13
Can one load the epwing dictionaries on these Casio models? For example, if I buy a less expensive Casio and obtain the Kenkyusha in epwing format, can I load it on the device? If not, where can you buy these dictionaries separately?
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - nadiatims - 2012-05-13
A lot (most?) dictionaries have a card slot for adding additional dictionaries. You can buy the extra dictionaries at the same store where you buy the device.
One more thing worth mentioning, is you don't need a color screen or top of the range model loaded with specialist dictionaries, unless you're a professional translator or something. I got mine (EX-word XD-SP2500) plus an extra card loaded with japanese-mandarin dictionaries for about 15,000yen. If I want to learn other languages down the track, I can just buy another card for 5000yen or so. They're really not that expensive.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - PotbellyPig - 2012-05-13
nadiatims Wrote:A lot (most?) dictionaries have a card slot for adding additional dictionaries. You can buy the extra dictionaries at the same store where you buy the device.I looked up how much that dictionary I mentonied cost. It's $150 extra. So its not really worth to buy it separately if you want a color model. The basic color is about $350 shipped to the USA while the higher model with the extra dictionaries is $525. Unless someone has a cheaper source to obtain these in the USA that they can share.
One more thing worth mentioning, is you don't need a color screen or top of the range model loaded with specialist dictionaries, unless you're a professional translator or something. I got mine (EX-word XD-SP2500) plus an extra card loaded with japanese-mandarin dictionaries for about 15,000yen. If I want to learn other languages down the track, I can just buy another card for 5000yen or so. They're really not that expensive.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - Elenkis - 2012-05-13
I don't see a compelling reason to buy a denshi jisho if you have a good phone.
My Galaxy Note has a 5.3" high resolution display with wacom powered stylus and combined with Mazec handwriting IME I can draw kanji easily (though Mazec IME seems difficult to obtain outside of Japan). EBPocket Pro lets you look up words in multiple EPWING dictionaries at once and Kenkyusha is my dictionary of choice.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - PotbellyPig - 2012-05-13
Elenkis Wrote:I don't see a compelling reason to buy a denshi jisho if you have a good phone.I loaded some EPWing dictionaries into EPWin on windows to try out. Seems to work okay. Does EBPocket Pro support sound? I have this big NHK pitch accent dictionary (it's like a gig). Would EBPocket Pro load it on the iPad/iPhone? The issue with the iPhone is that it doesn't really have a Kanji IME (I think its really for Chinese). I'll get EBPocket Pro if its the best solution unless anyone can suggest another program that would be better.
My Galaxy Note has a 5.3" high resolution display with wacom powered stylus and combined with Mazec handwriting IME I can draw kanji easily (though Mazec IME seems difficult to obtain outside of Japan). EBPocket Pro lets you look up words in multiple EPWING dictionaries at once and Kenkyusha is my dictionary of choice.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - Elenkis - 2012-05-13
PotbellyPig Wrote:I loaded some EPWing dictionaries into EPWin on windows to try out. Seems to work okay. Does EBPocket Pro support sound? I have this big NHK pitch accent dictionary (it's like a gig). Would EBPocket Pro load it on the iPad/iPhone? The issue with the iPhone is that it doesn't really have a Kanji IME (I think its really for Chinese). I'll get EBPocket Pro if its the best solution unless anyone can suggest another program that would be better.The features section of the EBPocket iOS site suggests that it supports both sound and video:
マルチメディア:
音声再生
カラー図版・モノクロ図版・インライン画像
動画(母艦上でmpg->m4v/mp4変換が必要です)
I've not tried the NHK dictionary myself though, so not sure if works properly. If you already have an iPhone you could try out the free version of EBPocket.
It really is a shame that Apple don't allow 3rd party IMEs.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - Fleskmos - 2012-05-13
My EX-word XD-B4800 has become an invaluable companion lately. Although the 英和 dictionaries don't offer perfect coverage, the JP -JP dictionaries are great. Before I got my 電子辞書, I used my iphone to look up so many words that my fingertips actually started to hurt. To me, the soft buttons on a 電子辞書 beats pressing my fingers against the glass(?) screen of my phone any day
Another great thing about electronic dictionaries is the range of other interesting stuff that you can find preloaded on many of them. Whenever I find myself on a train or with a few minutes to kill, I can trust my EX-word to entertain me with some of the preloaded books, travel guides or encyclopedias. Honestly though, I suppose one could easily get by with a smartphone instead. To me, the benefit of an electronic dictionary is the convenience of having a small companion that you can put beside you and control easily with one hand rather than the increased coverage of words.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - AlexandreC - 2012-05-14
I have the XD-D9700, trilingual J-En-Fr.
I sold my previous model for this more expensive one mainly for one reason -- it's got an accent dictionary. I've yet to see an iPod dictionary that includes accent.
And I just love the thing -- it does what it's supposed to do and it does it well. To me, it just doesn't compare to an iPod.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - partner55083777 - 2012-05-14
AlexandreC Wrote:I sold my previous model for this more expensive one mainly for one reason -- it's got an accent dictionary. I've yet to see an iPod dictionary that includes accent.ＮＨＫ 日本語発音アクセント辞典, 大辞林, and 新明解国語辞典 are all available in epwing format and therefore usable on iphone, android, pc, etc. The NHK dictionary comes with recordings of every word. (I imagine the accent dictionary you are talking about is the NHK accent dictionary.)
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - Katsuo - 2012-05-14
partner55083777 Wrote:ＮＨＫ 日本語発音アクセント辞典, 大辞林, and 新明解国語辞典 are all available in epwing format and therefore usable on iphone, android, pc, etc.Those dictionaries are also available as single apps:
ＮＨＫ 日本語発音アクセント辞典 Bar markings for accents & 72,900 audio files. iPod/Phone.
大辞林 Number markings for accent. No audio files. iPad/Pod/Phone.
新明解国語辞典 (by Keisokugiken) Number markings for accents & audio files. iPad/Pod/Phone.
新明解国語辞典 (by East) Same dictionary as above, but implemented by a different company. Seems to have number markings for accents, but no audio files. iPod/Phone.
Back on the main debate, there are many factors to consider. One plus for the Casios etc. is that their various dictionaries tend to better integrated for jumping and searching. The screens on the newer iPods etc. are so clear and crisp in comparison though.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - bertoni - 2012-05-14
As far as content goes, I agree that there's plenty of dictionaries available for the iPhone, at least for the more common uses. I still use my Casio XDB-10000, though, because I hate typing on an iPhone and I like the stylus on the Casio. In addition, carrying the dictionary is not a problem for me, because I'm usually carrying a laptop anyway.
If you could try the iPhone for a bit, you might be able to decide how much you like the interface. It's a personal choice, for the most part, in my opinion.
On the other hand, it'd be nice to have a dictionary at hand at all times, so I'm tempted to get a dictionary for the iPhone anyway. Sigh!
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - PotbellyPig - 2012-05-14
Well I went ahead and bought EBPocket Professional and loaded it on my iPad. The application takes advantage of the iPad's large display and you can see a lot of information at once. I loaded a couple dictionaries and I like how when you type in a word, you can see the hits in all the dictionaries. It supports sound and I was able to hear the words spoken in the dictionaries that have this feature. It does have a "jump" function where you can touch a word and then search for it in all your dictionaries. I don't know how this differs on the Casio EX Word. The app doesn't have handwriting recognition, though, and you can only use what Apple supplies. How large is the screen area on a Casio EX Word? After seeing this run on a big screen, it may be hard to go to a smaller one.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - Bokusenou - 2012-05-14
PotbellyPig Wrote:The app doesn't have handwriting recognition, though, and you can only use what Apple supplies.I might be wrong, but doesn't Dajisen have an iPad app with its own Japanese handwriting recognition? If so, that might be a workaround for people who want to use Japanese handwriting recognition on an iPad.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - PotbellyPig - 2012-05-14
Bokusenou Wrote:I have Midori which has a similiar capability. What you can do is draw the kanji in a program like Midori, and then copy and paste it into EBPocket. It's annoying because you have to switch programs. Then again, if you already have Midori open, you can view the corresponding kana which you can use in EBPocket also.PotbellyPig Wrote:The app doesn't have handwriting recognition, though, and you can only use what Apple supplies.I might be wrong, but doesn't Dajisen have an iPad app with its own Japanese handwriting recognition? If so, that might be a workaround for people who want to use Japanese handwriting recognition on an iPad.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - Teresina - 2012-05-15
From what I've read, it's better to get an iPod/iPhone because:
1) It's generally much cheaper.
2) It now has various EPWING dictionaries. (A few years ago, I think all there was was iDict.) There is the mid-sized Kenkyuusha if you need a J-E. There is also a full-sized Kenkyuusha but it's like $100+.
3) iOS 5 has a good built-in Japanese dictionary. (So I heard.)
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - partner55083777 - 2012-05-15
Most people seem to be interested in ipad/iphone, but there are also handwriting-recognizers available for android. The one used by the multiling keyboard app is the one I use the most. It's not too bad, but I would say it is definitely worse than the handwriting recognition on my 6-year-old electronic dictionary :-\
If anyone knows of an android app/input method with really good kanji recognition, I would love to hear about it.
Another plus for a smart phone/tablet is that you can use anki on it. I do 99% of my reviews on my android cell phone.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - Elenkis - 2012-05-15
partner55083777 Wrote:If anyone knows of an android app/input method with really good kanji recognition, I would love to hear about it.The 7notes with Mazec IME has the best kanji recognition I've seen. I've never had it fail to recognise a kanji when I've used it with a stylus.
Unfortunately it's only on the Japanese app store, and I still don't know how I managed to purchase it as I've been unable to buy Japanese apps since :/
I see you're in Tokyo though, so that probably isn't a obstacle for you.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - PotbellyPig - 2012-05-18
As a followup, I decided to stick with my iPad/iPhone for now. I don't think I would I would like the smaller screen of the electronic dictionary compared to my iPad. I have EBPocket Professional loaded on the iPad along with a few dictionaries. I have Midori if I need to drawthe kanji. In addition, I bought the Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary for it. It expensive and is about the same price of the paperback book but its navigation mechanism is great. This dictionary has loads of compounds and describes how the various meanings of each kanji contribute to the meaning of words. It is also available to purchase on the Casio EX Word if you are interested in getting the electronic dictionary.
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries - rich_f - 2012-05-19
ATOK is far better than Multiling (on Android). Someone on this board said that they managed to buy it from outside of Japan without using any special tricks, so it may be available globally. If so, then I'd highly recommend plunking down the money for it. I've been using it for a while, and I love it.
Multiling drove me nuts, because its JP dictionary is terrible. ATOK has an excellent JP dictionary, and you can add extra dictionaries that help with writing all kinds of stuff, like business emails... Writing e-mails is actually a lot easier on my phone than on my computer thanks to ATOK, because it automatically suggests particles after I type nouns, or shows me phrases I can use when I need a good set phrase. (God, I sound like an infomercial....)
If you load the extra dictionaries (which are free), you can type in a phrase in plain Japanese, and the options that pop up will show you more polite versions. It'll even give you set sentences for the time of the month you're sending the letter. (A very Japanese thing.) Very handy. 1500 yen is a little steep, but the keyboard is something I use every day on my Xoom and my Galaxy Nexus. Use the demo version first before you buy it.