![Collins Japanese Dictionary Essential Edition: 27,000 Translations For Everyday Use [Second Edition]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61WcygrnybL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Granted the book is a bit dated, so you won't find many Internet related terms (or even the word "Internet" itself) -- but I still give it 5 Stars and seriously suggest you give it a consideration rather than just skipping it because it's not super current...
I have multiple Japanese dictionaries, of various sizes. Most are either Japanese To English, or they're English-To-Japanese -- but it's a pain carrying around 2 different and separate dictionaries. I do have a couple of really tiny "travel" dictionaries which contain both Japanese & English sections, but I'm in my mid 60's and my eyesight can barely see it (I have to carry a magnifier with me just to barely read the small print text) -- even when I was younger, the print is so small it would have been frustrating (and the vocabulary they hold are very minimal and lacking).
Even though this publication was old, the price was so low that I figured I may as well give it a try (since I saw it was the size of a normal paperback book, which would hopefully mean easier print size to be able to read).
It arrived fairly quickly, and I was glad to see it was indeed the size of a normal paperback book [first thing I did even before reading it was to see it it would fit easily in the inside pocket of my jean jacket, and it did. It's a decent size content size as well [1" thick], so it seemed to have far more available word translations and examples or meanings than the tiny 'Travel' dictionaries I had.
The paper is more towards the older newsprint style paper rather than smooth white, but the text is very easy to see and read.
The Japanese-To-English is in Romaji (romanization of Japanese Kana), so it would help if you know a little Hiragana and Katakana [so you can easily see how to spell the word you want to look up]. It also includes some English word mean variances (n., adj, etc.) and meanings -- as well as the Japanese Kana writing of the word
The English-To-Japanese [which is in the 2nd half of the book] has a pretty decent coverage, including multiple Japanese word options depending on the desired meaning, usage, and context -- and is in Romaji [so you can roughly know how to approximately pronounce the words even if you don't know any Japanese Kana characters or lettering at all], as well as full Japanese Kana [Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji] which might make it easier if you need to point to the word you're trying to say.
So why Five Stars for such an older book?
Excellent Travel Size - fits in case, purse, or pocket (just the way pocket paperbacks were originally designed to do) easily -- and even with old eyes it's easier to see and read than the microscopic and frustrating mini Travel books
Doesn't have more modern words and terms, but it does contain a fairly extensive word variety & vocabulary depth
English letter Romaji (for those with zero Japanese), as well as Japanese Kana
Pretty decent variety for contextual selection of words (translating English into Japanese) and short examples.
Price -- considering how expensive language books can be, this edition has stayed at old school type normal [reasonable] low cost pricing
While many people may think (I can just Google translations on my phone) -- what happens when batteries run low, no phone signal in some areas, or you're in an area where phones are not allowed [e.g. areas in Japan with No Phones Or Photos Allowed] etc. Having an easy to carry paperback option is a worthwhile backup (and a lot less fiddling and scrolling).
Then again, if you're reading this review, then chances are you're actually looking for a paper dictionary to begin with -- So, considering how inexpensive this book sells for, definitely give it a chance and order it. For myself, this book has meant that I no longer have to tote around multiple dictionaries to translate back and forth between Japanese and English.
I'm glad I gave it a try and bought it. Very happy with the purchase, and really worthwhile value.
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