Which dictionary to use?

[MonteChristo]

I have the Larousse Concise spanish english dictionary. It had good reviews on Amazon.com and it's seems ok. Anyone have a favorite they would like to share?

MC

[Iris]

I always tell my students to go to a bookshop and have a look at all the available dictionaries and then to choose the one they feel most comfortable with.
I think it's important to have not only a bilingual dictionary, but also a good monolingual one in the language you are learning.

[Jane]

I use HARRAP´S and HARPER-COLLINS, but its important to find out which one works well for you, one that comes, as my Mum loved to say, ...in a language that you will understand.
No two dictionaries are the same. They might say the same things but words are explained differenty, examples expressed in different ways...

I think it's important to have not only a bilingual dictionary, but also a good monolingual one in the language you are learning.

That´s a good point, Iris.
It really helps.

[Tomisimo]

I just stood up and went to count how many dictionaries I have, and I stopped after I counted eleven. On one hand it's good to have a wide selection of dictionaries, since each one is different. Each one has different words, nuances, a focus on different regional usages etc. On the other hand, I'll recommend two dictionaries in particular. I have the Harper-Collins Unabridged Spanish dictionary published a few years ago, there's probably a newer edition available. It's up-to-date and fairly exhaustive. Here's a link to the seventh edition on Amazon. I have the fifth ed. There are very few words I haven't been able to find in it. The second dictionary I would recommend is a smaller paperback, and although it's fairly thick, it's also fairly portable and surprisingly complete. It's the New World Spanish Dictionary, edited by Salvatore Ramondino. Amazon link here. These two have been my mainstays. I also agree that a regular dictionary for the target language (words + definitions, not a bilingual dictionary) is very important.

[Iris]

Jane, David. Thanks for agreeing with me.(Don't let anybody know I pay you) I do believe that a good monolingual dictionary is a great learning tool.

[Jane]

Originally Posted by Iris

Jane, David. Thanks for agreeing with me.(Don't let anybody know I pay you).

But you don´t...
(Sorry, sweetheart, I couldn´t help it)

[poli]

I agree with what others have said about Harper Collins' Spanish-English
Dictionary. Although no dictionary has it all, Harper Collins has more than others I've seen.
I love Tomísimo's dictionary because, besides being a very good dictionary, it links to RAE

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by poli

I love Tomísimo's dictionary because, besides being a very good dictionary, it links to RAE

You're going to make me blush.

[Iris]

And we found the English-speaking pelota!

[Marsopa]

I have the Harper Collins, the LaRousse, and the Oxford and Oxford is definitely my favorite.

I wore out the first one (dropped it a few times), so I recently bought a new one and I use both in different rooms. I have the habit of needing a dictionary right away...lol

[poli]

Aparentamente diccionario Oxford se trata el inglés casi como RAE se trata el español. Siempre evitaba Oxford porque pensaba que enfocaba en el inglés de Inglaterra.
Poli

[Escarabajo]

Webster's is something of the standard on the other side of the pond, though not as thorough as the OED, and yes, largely because we want a standard for our own dialect.

But the wonderful thing about the RAE is the cooperation between so many countries on one standard.

[MonteChristo]

Ok then several opinions. Gracias

Dime qué piensas. ¿Cuál diccionario contiene el vocabulario que más se usa en México y Sudamérica?


MC

[Rusty]

Apuesto que es el Harper Collins.

Busca un diccionario bilingüe que incluye ejemplos de frases y cita en cuales países se usa el vocabulario. Y como dijeron otros, debes comprarte un diccionario monolingüe.

Gratis y monolingüe: http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/


Unas correcciones:

Dime qué piensas. ¿Cuál diccionario contiene el vocabulario que más se usa en México y Sudamérica?

The most common translation of South America appears above, followed by América del Sur and Suramérica. I wouldn't think that there is any one dictionary that will present vocabulary from just this hemisphere. Unfortunately, Spanish is a little different in every country. Make sure you buy a dictionary that lists the vocabulary by regions. That way you'll be able to narrow your focus.

[poli]

Test the dictionary before buying it. If you know some Mexicanisms and want a dictionary that covers Mexican Spanish, check to see if the dictionary has them. Check mitote for example. A dictionary that
doesn't have that word may not cover Mexican Spanish well.

RAE is very comprehensive, but try to find mofongo, or Latin American
uses of ojalá or de pronto. You won't find them there. More than one dictionary is necessary.

[MonteChristo]

Unas correcciones:

Quote:
Dime qué piensas. ¿Cuál diccionario contiene el vocabulario que más se usa en México y Sudamérica?


Man I sure messed that one up! Thank you Rusty for your patience.

Thank you to everyone else as well. I'll head up to the local book stores this weekend and see what I can see.

MC

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by poli

Test the dictionary before buying it.

Great advice.

Originally Posted by poli

... but try to find mofongo ...

What is mofongo? I've never heard of that before.

[poli]

Mofongo es parte de la cesta básica del caribe. Es un puré de plátano
servido con carne, pescado o camarones. Yo no sé si lo prepara en Vera Cruz o si llama mofongo alli, pero se lo encuentra dondequiera en Puerto Rico y Santo Domingo.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by poli

Mofongo es parte de la cesta básica del caribe. Es un puré de plátano
servido con carne, pescado o camarones. Yo no sé si lo prepara en Vera Cruz o si llama mofongo alli, pero se lo encuentra dondequiera en Puerto Rico y Santo Domingo.

Gracias Poli, por la información.

Yo no sé si (lo preparan/se prepara) en Vera Cruz o si se llama mofongo alli, pero se que (lo encuentras/se encuentra) dondequiera en Puerto Rico y Santo Domingo.

[kathy09]

I use Collins talking dictionary you install it on your computer it's great you type in your word and it says it out load I love it. You can also type in the english word and it will tell you what word it is in spanish.

Kathy