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Product Description
The Oxford Beginner's Japanese Dictionary is an innovative guide to learning Japanese. Designed specifically for English-speaking adult learners who are either learning from scratch or refreshing lost language skills, it offers an easy to use dictionary, extra help with vocabulary, and essential information on living and interacting in the Japanese-speaking world. The dictionary is exceptionally easy to use, because it moves away from the traditional dictionary layout. All main translations are preceded by an equals sign so that they are instantly identifiable, and all parts of the entry are spelt out in full, avoiding confusing jargon and abbreviations. Grammar and usage notes throughout the text warn of possible translation pitfalls, and thousands of example phrases show how the language is used in context. The 30-page Learning and Lifestyle kit gives key information on both the Japanese language, with a list of the words you really need to know, grammar help, and verb tables, and on life in the Japanese-speaking world: background information on lifestyle and culture, tips on etiquette and interaction in the language, and a phrasefinder for use when travelling. The Oxford Beginner's Japanese Dictionary is your essential companion to learning Japanese.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Ok, let me start by saying this little gem has helped me out so many times when trying to think of a word. It's not just a dictionary but there is a whole middle section on grammar which is great for brushing up on you wa's and ga's.
I can also see some people have been disappointed with the fact that it's all written in hiragana/katakana, this is actually more beneficial to those wanting to get proficient with reading and writing in real japanese script, and i think it serves as more of an encouragement to go and learn the first two basic scripts. Believe me, anyone thats learned them will tell you once you have them down pat, (within about a month and half i learned mine)
you will find reading japanese so much more rewarding, and also your a lot less likely to make pronunciation mistakes.
Sometimes i still have to pinch myself to realise that holy Sh*t im reading japanese. Trust me, go and learn them, you'll love it.
I can also see some people have been disappointed with the fact that it's all written in hiragana/katakana, this is actually more beneficial to those wanting to get proficient with reading and writing in real japanese script, and i think it serves as more of an encouragement to go and learn the first two basic scripts. Believe me, anyone thats learned them will tell you once you have them down pat, (within about a month and half i learned mine)
you will find reading japanese so much more rewarding, and also your a lot less likely to make pronunciation mistakes.
Sometimes i still have to pinch myself to realise that holy Sh*t im reading japanese. Trust me, go and learn them, you'll love it.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Oxford beginner's Japanese dictionary is pretty good on the whole for the aspiring student of Japanese, but is by no means perfect.
On the plus side, all of the Japanese is in kana (you *need* to know kana if you ever want to learn the language properly), and the most useful/common kanji are given next to each translation. The selection of words matches the needs of a beginner well, meaning that you don't have to trawl through endless pages of useless vocabulary to find what you want. There are also grammatical examples to accompany some of the translations; however, some of these are quite advanced, and since a literal translation is not provided they aren't quite as useful as they could be.
There is a useful grammar section in the middle, which contains tables of verb and adjective conjugations, as well as pages of references for family names, dates etc. However, no explanation is given to what the different verb forms actually mean/do - what exactly does causative passive mean, and how is it used in Japanese? The reference tables for verbs that I'd covered already in my studies were useful however, but clearly the grammar section is intended as a supplement rather than a tutor in it's own right (for wonderful, clear explanations of all Japanese grammar see 'Japanese the Manga Way' by Wayne Lammers). Furthermore, at the back there's an extensive phrasefinder. If you're just want to use it as a phrasebook for (say) a holiday to Japan, I suggest you look elsewhere - as with the rest of the book, no romaji are on offer. If you're actually learning the language though, they serve as a useful reference point.
Some of the translations provided are quite ambiguous - for example, 'ginkou' is listed simply as 'bank (n)'. Were it a word you'd never come across before (and there are other examples), you might be left wondering if it was a money-bank or a river-bank. Additionally, after fairly extensive usage, I've come across quite a few mistakes/typos. Obviously it's never going to be perfect, but it doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
The book is attractively presented, and is beautifully free of off-putting, detailed linguistic analyses. Entries are written in a bold blue font, whilst translations are in black, so it's easy to find whatever you're looking for.
So why four stars? It's partly because I have yet to find anything better (or at least, anything that doesn't have romaji all over the show), and also because I'm really nitpicking. For most purposes it's a useful reference, but you really need a teacher to clarify the various ambiguities within to make the most out of it.
On the plus side, all of the Japanese is in kana (you *need* to know kana if you ever want to learn the language properly), and the most useful/common kanji are given next to each translation. The selection of words matches the needs of a beginner well, meaning that you don't have to trawl through endless pages of useless vocabulary to find what you want. There are also grammatical examples to accompany some of the translations; however, some of these are quite advanced, and since a literal translation is not provided they aren't quite as useful as they could be.
There is a useful grammar section in the middle, which contains tables of verb and adjective conjugations, as well as pages of references for family names, dates etc. However, no explanation is given to what the different verb forms actually mean/do - what exactly does causative passive mean, and how is it used in Japanese? The reference tables for verbs that I'd covered already in my studies were useful however, but clearly the grammar section is intended as a supplement rather than a tutor in it's own right (for wonderful, clear explanations of all Japanese grammar see 'Japanese the Manga Way' by Wayne Lammers). Furthermore, at the back there's an extensive phrasefinder. If you're just want to use it as a phrasebook for (say) a holiday to Japan, I suggest you look elsewhere - as with the rest of the book, no romaji are on offer. If you're actually learning the language though, they serve as a useful reference point.
Some of the translations provided are quite ambiguous - for example, 'ginkou' is listed simply as 'bank (n)'. Were it a word you'd never come across before (and there are other examples), you might be left wondering if it was a money-bank or a river-bank. Additionally, after fairly extensive usage, I've come across quite a few mistakes/typos. Obviously it's never going to be perfect, but it doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
The book is attractively presented, and is beautifully free of off-putting, detailed linguistic analyses. Entries are written in a bold blue font, whilst translations are in black, so it's easy to find whatever you're looking for.
So why four stars? It's partly because I have yet to find anything better (or at least, anything that doesn't have romaji all over the show), and also because I'm really nitpicking. For most purposes it's a useful reference, but you really need a teacher to clarify the various ambiguities within to make the most out of it.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
I was recommended this book, the Oxford Beginner's Japanese Dictionary, by Amazon as I bought the Oxford Starter Japanese Dictionary. The press release for this book says it's a 'New and fresh approach for first-time learners'. However, when I received the book, it's not new at all, page for page in every way it's the same book as the old one. so, if you have that book already, don't get this or you'll be disappointed. If you don't, then it is still a brilliant, user friendly dictionary that is indespensible for the beginning learner.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Useful
I have already used this. It will come in very helpful with my Japanese course and enable me to surprise my Japanese daughter-in-law to be as I did on New Year.
Published 4 months ago by C. Ashton
Almost useless for anyone but an absolute beginner
I bought this dictionary expecting a lot from it. The dictionary has 1 problem, a tiny vocabulary bank. 8/10 times I simply could not find the word I am looking for. Read more
Published 7 months ago by nihongonogakusei
Best dictionary for beginners
I've taught Japanese to every levels for over 6 years. I always looking for a good Japanese-English beginner learners. Read more
Published 21 months ago by satoshi
Pretty darn good
I set out wanting a dictionary with romanised text, however, after reading a few peoples reviews i decided to go with this dictionary instead.
I'm glad i did. Read more
I'm glad i did. Read more
Published on 18 May 2010 by Ms. Alk Hing
Ace little dictionary, but you need to be able to read Japanese...
Awesome dictionary, very useful. The only drawback some people will find is that you will need to be able to read either Katakana or Hiragana (Japanese alphabets). Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by A. Wenham
Great!
This is a great dictionary for people who study Japanese! It's designed the same way a Japanese dictionary would be, words organised in the order of Hiragana and Katakana and not... Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2009 by tokidoki
Very handy reference tool
This is a very handy tool. Text is clear and well laid-out (always a bonus), making it easy to look up the word you want... if you can read a little Japanese. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2009 by NChick
Not good for beginners
Firstly, I should clarify that am great advocate of learning/teaching Japanese using Kana, as using Romaji does and will lead to the learner using first language phonetic patterns... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by AgentMulderUK
Perfect For The Serious Beginner
I bought this book as an aid to my learning Japanese and I've not been disapointed.
A lot of reviews have said how this is not for the beginner as it does not contain... Read more
A lot of reviews have said how this is not for the beginner as it does not contain... Read more
Published on 23 July 2009 by J. Earle
it's not up to much if you are a beginner
just a little warning to you all, if you are a begginer you might as well get your 1 year old daughter to squggle some lines on a piece of paper. Read more
Published on 18 July 2009 by Mr. Aw Barron
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