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Q: Any recommendations for an electronic dictionary?
I have intended to buy an electronic dictionary since I arrived but I have no idea which one to buy. The ones I tried seem quite expensive or hard to use or both. I was looking at the Erbaiwu model but something told me I should avoid that brand. Do you use one? Which one? I'm going back for the summer so it need not be on Taobao. Please? There, I said please. Thanks!
11 years 43 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
If you have an android phone download google translate and its free.
danielmarino:
Even if you don't have an android phone you can use google translate. It is definitely the best choice!
Google translate works well on your smart phone...as long as you have wifi or can get a data signal. For me, I can't get a data signal to save my life anywhere in China. It's a locked Verizon iPhone, so I can't use a local sim card without jailbreaking it (Sain't Happenin'). So I downloaded Pleco for my iPhone. Works pretty well I think, and has a cool add-on feature where you can use the camera to scan Chinese characters you might not know.
PS - Is there really an Erbaiwu model dictionary? You know what that means, right? Hint, not 250....
Shining_brow:
Thanks for the Pleco sales-pitch! I didn't have that one, so DLing now... has RAVE reviews! :)
Bit expensive for the add-ons, though...
cooter:
Yeah. I just added the free dictionary add-ons, and then you can get the "trial" version of the optical character recognizer. The only difference between it and the "paid" version, is the trial version only shows you the pinyin for the characters, and doesn't directly tell you the translation.
Shining_brow:
Yeah, I DL'ed it - and looked at the trial OCR... I think I'd have to fork out on the paid version for it to be really worth having.
I've used my iPhone as a dictionary for the last 3 years. I've got a few different translators/dictionaries, but the ones I use most are Dianhua audio (cost about $5 - there's a non-audio version which I think is free), and the Lonely Planet phrasebook (again, about $5 - but well worth it! It's got a strong Beijing accent, but has the usual useful phrases... it's not as extensive as the hardcopy, but still well worth it for the very low price!!!) CC-Edit is also good!
Otherwise, you can always look online for multi-lingual dictionaries... why have just 1 language, when for a bit more, you can have the world at your fingertips...
But, in all honesty, with technology being the way it is - I'd just stick with a smart-phone! I mean, really, what's going to be the difference between a dedicated dictionary, and a phone-based one? Other than having to carry an additional thing around in your pocket (and the price....
)
tmestep8:
Do those require an internet connection? I have an IPod Touch, all the features of an IPhone without the internet connection. Been looking for a good translator/phrasebook that doesn't require internet.
Shining_brow:
Not once you've downloaded! I chose those specifically for those reasons - I don't use internet-required apps!!!
There are several good dictionaries available on the apple store.
i use hanping chinese and trainchinese, 2 apps from android market, free, dont require internet connection
highly recommended. no need to buy another device for the same use...
Ok, thank you thank you thank you. Does anyone use one of those stand-alone translators? I'm too old, I only use my super cool touch screen Android super duper phone for calls and text.
LOL 
I won't touch an Apple anything because I can't use a microSD in them so an Apple to me is like a very cool black or white brick. But that's good info for Apple users.
Don't buy one. I did, and never used it. Don't really need one, I just go online. It's just another device that you could easily go without.
Don't bother with them and especially don't bother with the ones that 'speak', I have heard drunken monkeys with better pronunciation!
I know you don't like Apple but instead of a dictionary what about getting the cheapest version of a Ipod Touch. That's what I did and it worked great. You can get Pleco, Kdict and Nciku (which has the writing tool) and it's way cheaper than a electronic dictionary. If you are only using it for a dictionary the other software shouldnt matter too much....
get a Besta type , it's the best electronic dictionary you can ever own, it contain 13 different languages, and a lot of different dictionaries, plus you can listen to music and watch movies of your kind and do more with it. first-hand cost about 800 RMB above while second hand cost at least 500 RMB, I tell you this its very helpful anywhere you go especially in class and when shopping.
They are awful. I wanted to find limes in the market, used the electronic dictionary and showed the lady selling fruit. She directed me to a builders merchants.
There's an android app called Hanping Chinese. It's one of the best I've found and I used it a lot while I was at Uni. But the absolute best is Youdao 有道, but you have to have internet access for it to be any good. The PC version is much better. I hardly use my phone so I don't have 3G.If you 3G then I would say Youdao is probably the best.
Don't buy an electronic dictionary, it's a waste of money what will all the phone apps there are now.
let me see 1000 - 2000 for a good elect dictionary, buy an android phone (hk version).
let me see 1000 - 2000 for a good elect dictionary, buy an android phone (hk version).
