Firstly, I'm sure we're all aware of Rikai-chan for Firefox and Rikai-kun for Google Chrome. Unfortunately, I'm using Opera because it is better but it has no Rikai-equilavent widget that I know of. Unless I'm wrong?

Secondly, I am currently using 漢字そのまま楽引辞典 for Nintendo DS and it's pretty much the most useful Japanese-learning thing I have right now. But just in case, is there anything better for the DS? There's a sequel of sorts that is DSi-ware only but it doesn't have any English.

Also, what does a proper $500 stand-alone Japanese-English electronic dictionary offer that 漢字そのまま楽引辞典 doesn't?

qwertyytrewq Wrote:Also, what does a proper $500 stand-alone Japanese-English electronic dictionary offer that 漢字そのまま楽引辞典 doesn't?

Battery life? Better/more definitions?

wccrawford Wrote:

qwertyytrewq Wrote:Also, what does a proper $500 stand-alone Japanese-English electronic dictionary offer that 漢字そのまま楽引辞典 doesn't?

Battery life? Better/more definitions?

Anything else?

And to be fair to the Nintendo DS, for a portable game system, its battery life ain't too shabby compared to phones these days and the PSP.

Well my phone is always with me, and lasts a full day. If I left my DS on all day, it would run out. (Possibly even on standby.)

My electronic dictionary, however... I've changed the batteries about once a year. (I think... Might have been 2 years.)

To me, the difference is really in the definitions, though. The ones I got from the DS were pretty sparse in English. My Japanese was really bad back then, but I was pretty sure the Japanese definitions were better. There were certainly some definitions in Japanese that didn't exist in English. But the electronic dictionary was still better in both English and Japanese. (DEFINITELY better in English.)

You don't need to pay 500$ for a dictionary. Those ones are for translators and include all sorts of additional dictionaries for technical terminology etc, or they include multimedia lessons, color screen etc that you don't need. You can get a totally fine decent mid-level dictionary for $150. I got a Casio EX-word (dataplus 4 XD-SP2500 to be specific) loaded with j-e, e-j, j-j, e-e dictionaries, common phrases, pen for kanji input and an additional card based j-chinese, c-j dictionaries for about 15000yen new. And if I want to learn some other language later like korean, easy I'll just buy another dictionary card for it for 5000 yen or so.

For the record, I think I paid $250 for mine. Just thought I'd add that because of Nadiatims' point.

If Google Translate is good enough for you, I'd recommend the Hypertranslate extension.
https://addons.opera.com/ja/addons/exten...display=en

Otherwise just use StarDict:
https://code.google.com/p/stardict-3/

or GoldenDict:
http://goldendict.org/

I just converted Jim Breen's latest EDICT and uploaded together with a few months old ENAMDICT (without unnecessary romaji):
http://www.multiupload.com/4P85RARCAK

I would upload the Meikyou and Shinmeikai monolingual dictionaries too if it wouldn't be illegal to do so...

temporary Wrote:Otherwise just use StarDict:
https://code.google.com/p/stardict-3/

or GoldenDict:
http://goldendict.org/

Lingoes is also really good for this, and there might be some good Japanese dictionaries made for it.

Sadly, Lingoes is Windows only while the other two runs on all platform. Nevertheless, that's one more option.

It must be remembered that Electronic dictionaries are designed for Japanese people. In other words they are designed for speakers of Japanese, and not English learners of Japanese.

The difference in price with the dictionary due to two facts. The dictionaries included and how current the model is.

The more dictionaries and the larger content included in the dictionaries, the more expensive the model will be. However, the Japanese dictionary content is generally standard across all models.

The XD-SP2500 like the other models marketed for Junior High school students have a Japanese Language reference book. The Japanese Language reference books are great tools for aiding in mastering Japanese.

It all comes down to how much you are willing to pay, and why you want it. If your intentions is only to use the dictionary while connected to the Internet, then you don't need one. A digital version would be better.

Now to answer your question.
- Over 10 different dictionaries.
- Search example English sentences using Japanese keywords.
- Search example English sentences with Japanese sentences using English keywords.
- Multiple level searching.
- Wildcard searches.

* I am unaware if 漢字そのまま楽引辞典 includes a jump feature.