Uses for Foreign Language Online Dictionary: Japanese to English

Using a Japanese to English foreign language online dictionary can make it easier for native Japanese speakers to navigate the English-speaking world. While many students are taught English as a second language in Japanese schools, they may find it useful to have a resource for translating words and phrases they have never come across.
Additionally, some Japanese people may need to look up words in order to travel in foreign countries. Because so many European countries use English as a second language, it may make it easier to ask questions in English than try to learn French, Spanish, and Italian when traveling.

Computer applications may also require knowledge of the English language. When looking for information or websites, searches may produce results in English. Being able to look up search results in a foreign language online dictionary from Japanese to English will help determine whether or not the search has proved useful.

Another use for translating from Japanese to English may be to double check an English to Japanese translation. Because some word or phrase meanings cannot be exactly translated, you may get a better understanding if you check both references for the subtle differences in meaning.

Features for a Japanese to English Online Dictionary

When using a foreign language online dictionary to translate from Japanese to English, there are certain features you may need. For example, you may want to have a dictionary that features all three main forms of Japanese writing in translation. The three main forms include:

1. Romaji-Japanese written with the Latin alphabet, often spelled Romanji. Commonly used when translating English to Japanese and in computer and typewriting applications. The Hepburn system of Romaji is the most common. This type of writing is taught to all Japanese.

2. Kanji-Character-based writing system from the Chinese. Each character stands for a word, and when combined, they can make new words. 1,945 characters have been officially declared Kanji.

3. Kana-Combination of Hiragana and Katakana. Hiragana is a more cursive form of character writing, used for grammatical endings to certain words and particles, and a few Japanese words that cannot be written in Kanji. Katakana is a more angular form of writing, and it is used for "loan" words (not originally found in Japanese language) and for people's names or geographical locations that cannot be written in Kanji. Each has 46 characters within its system.

Having the ability to look up words using all or any of the former Japanese writing styles will allow you to get the most out of your dictionary.

Additional features to look for in an online translation dictionary include:

· Alternate spellings
· Alternate meanings
· Pronunciation
· Usage examples
· Synonyms
· Antonyms

Some online dictionaries may provide services that teach you how to change word forms. Learning the future, past, present, and other forms of verbs can help immensely when writing or speaking a foreign language. Additionally, learning possession rules, apostrophes, and sentence structure through an online dictionary can make understanding the language easier.

Common Words and Phrases

Online dictionaries may provide a list of commonly looked up words and phrases when translating Japanese to English. These phrases may include objects, verbs, questions, and directions.

Examples of Japanese to English words and phrases that may be needed in translation include:

· Where is the bathroom?
· What time is it?
· Left, right, up, down
· Chicken, beef, lamb, turkey
· Everyday objects
· I am allergic to. . . . . (fill in the blank)
· Is there a doctor here?
· Numbers
· Bus, car, airplane

If you plan to travel, write down some of these commonly used phrases before leaving. Practice saying them to make your travels much easier.
Students who need help learning English may find it easier to start with everyday objects and simple sentences. Recognizing a majority of words within a sentence can help in the overall translation and understanding.

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