Oxford Essential Portuguese Dictionary: Portuguese- English - English-Portuguese [Paperback]

Oxford Essential Portuguese-English, English-Portuguese Dictionary

" The Oxford Essential Portuguese-English, English-Portuguese Dictionary has been written for both for speakers of Portuguese and English and contains the most useful words and expressions in use today. The dictionary provides a handy and comprehensive reference work for tourists, students and business people who require quick and reliable answers to all their translation needs. "

That's what it says in the preface and it's true!!

I am amazed nobody has reviewed this superb little dictionary before now!

The Oxford Essential Portuguese-English, English-Portuguese Dictionary gives a complete and thorough run down on the pronunciation of Portuguese and English. A simplified phonetic alphabet is used in both the Portuguese-English and English-Portuguese sections of the book. The differences in spelling and pronunciation between Brazilian and European Portuguese are covered and examples of where the differences occur are detailed. The dictionary has dual texts for its preface and introduction - so there's a chance to compare the two texts in both languages and perhaps gain an insight into how the same English and Portuguese texts look in translation.The dictionary also gives details on the irregular verbs in Portuguese and in English.This solid little dictionary is not only a must for the English speaker wanting to learn Portuguese but also for the Portuguese speaker wanting to learn English. The actual entries in both sections of the book are comprehensive! You won't find any one-word entries here - except, of course, where it's strictly necessary!! For example, look up the word "hard". You will find "duro" - difficult (difícil), hard-boiled egg, hard disk, hard-headed, hard of hearing, hard shoulder, hard up, hard water and a lot more besides! All in Portuguese!! Look up the word "sheer"! There are eight Portuguese entries!! This is typical of the dictionary's detailed and exhaustive approach. The dictionary has 488 pages with each headword section clearly marked alphabetically along the right and left edge of the page with the initial letter of the word you're looking for. The entries are all laid out in neat and easily readable print. The second thing you want to know about a Portuguese word after its meaning (if it's a noun) is whether it's masculine or feminine. This is clearly marked with an 'm' or 'f' for masculine or feminine respectively. A very helpful indication as to the pronunciation of each word in both the Portuguese-English,English-Portuguese sections is given in brackets after each word. This indication is written in a simplified form of the International Phonetic Symbol Alphabet. There is ample information in the dictionary's introduction on what sounds these IPSA symbols represent. The International Phonetic Symbol Alphabet is a bit daunting at first glance but can be easily mastered with practice and can only benefit your study of the pronunciation of other foreign languages you may wish to study.

The dictionary is about the size of an averagely small "paperback" - the Portuguese for which, according to this marvellous little book is: "livro (m) de capa mole"!!!

An excellent, affordable, little Portuguese-English, English-Portuguese Dictionary for "tourists, students and business people who require quick and reliable answers to all their translation needs. "

Just like it says in the preface!!

This is exactly what is claims to be, a short basic dictionary and is a handy size. Hope Oxford are going to bring out a large dictionary soon, like their Spanish one!

I bought this dictionary as I have relocated to Portugal and am desperate to master the language. I have worked in the country almost two years now and as I delved into the dictionary I was very suprised to spot complete mistakes. Very simple and well known words are completely wrong, an example of which is lime which is translated to limão - the word for lemon! The actual word you should be using is lima which I am very familiar with, having worked behind a Portuguese bar for many months. My partner is Portuguese and proceeded to then go through the dictionary listing mistake after mistake, he then told me to throw it away. This is the first review I've written but I felt I had to let others know my findings - of course you should make up your own mind but I can tell you from the (well educated 41 year old portuguese) horses mouth that if you want to be understood in this country I wouldn't trust Mr Oxford!