Portable Chinese Electronic Dictionaries to Fast Track Learning
If you're an exchange student learning the Chinese language or a tourist immersing yourself in a country's culture, a digital dictionary is an invaluable educational tool. These handheld devices may feature a built-in translator to help you learn the language by providing English to Chinese translations and vice-versa. Aside from its benefits, built-in features help you build up a Chinese or English vocabulary as a second language.
What Are the Benefits of Using an Electronic Dictionary?
- Portability: You can carry the device anywhere you go, and its diminutive size means it fits in a back pocket, book bag, or carryall.
- Practical Uses: If you intend to visit China, you can take the device with you to ask for directions, order meals, or talk to native residents. Likewise, with the English interface, you can search the dictionary for the meaning and pronunciation of an unfamiliar Chinese word or phrase.
- Databases: Along with an English-Chinese dictionary, the accessory may include an encyclopedia, Oxford or Meriam Webster dictionary, as well as synonym and antonym dictionaries. Look up a helpful idiom, slang, and colloquial translations to learn words you encounter while learning English or Chinese.
What Noteworthy Features Should You Look For?
- Audio Pronouncer: When you hear a word or phrase pronounced correctly, it's easier to learn any language. You can practice saying the word and listen to the digital pronunciation as many times as you like.
- Easy-to-Use Features: Depending on whether you choose a Canon, Casio, or Seiko dictionary, electronic dictionaries may have touch screens so you can move easily between the different dictionaries. Full keyboards save you time when typing in information.
- Learning Features: Devices with sentence makers and professional grammar sections fast track your language knowledge. You can use the listen and learn function to identify words and input notes into the dictionary to track your progress.
What Other Ways Can You Use an Electronic Dictionary?
These gadgets may have a built-in calculator to complete basic math functions or a unit converter so you can convert weights and measurements between metric and imperial. When visiting China and other countries, you can use the world time clock to determine what time it is in any country you select. A Chinese dictionary may also include games and crossword puzzles to occupy your time when you're relaxing. When living in a foreign country, the currency converter can help you budget when making purchases. Likewise, built-in personal and business organizers let you schedule events and keep personal information at your fingertips.