How to Find a Good Dictionary

If you learn a second language, you will come to a point where you will need a dictionary. You might think: Dictionary is dictionary; it doesn't matter which one I choose. And that's where you're wrong. Let me tell you, there's nothing more frustrating than reading a good book and stumbling upon a word without which you don't understand what's going on in that scene. You get out your dictionary to look up the word, only to find out the word in question isn't listed...bummer!

So, how do you find the right dictionary for you?

Online Dictionary

A good online dictionary should have a forum. Why, you ask? It's simple: A German-English dictionary, for example, attracts both German and English native speakers. In a forum, they have the possibility to talk to each other about word meanings, translations, grammar and style questions. A forum makes an online dictionary so much more than a mere dictionary; it changes it into a place where you can learn and improve a language.

The best online dictionary I know is the German site LEO. Its German-English forum is highly frequented and when you are lucky, you get answers to your questions within minutes. Their dictionary is comprehensive and comes along with declination tables and pronunciation. I think it also offers a vocabulary trainer though I've never tried it out.

Offline Dictionary (Computer and Book)

When you look for a dictionary, look at the number of words included. Compare various dictionaries to get a feeling for high or low word numbers.

Rule of thumb: The more you want to do with/in the second language and the better you get, the more words your dictionary should include.

If you need your dictionary for a specific field, for example office work, note down some specific terms and look them up in the dictionary you want to buy. If they are included, it's ok. If not, you should look for a different dictionary instead.

Some dictionaries include information on difficult words, false friends and sometimes even on countries and culture. If you are interested in these things, you might want to look for a dictionary which included this kind of information.