Hey all.
As I'm starting out on Japanese this month, I intend to purchase a good dictionary that will serve me for years. I've already mastered hiragana and katakana and know how to read/write kanji (from the Chinese language) so I guess dictionary entries with them are find although I don't mind a little roomaji every now and then. Just as long as the dictionary isn't based on roomaji. I prefer English explanations for the entries.
Oh and for the time being, I intend to self-study Japanese due to uni commitments and so forth, so a dictionary which is user friendly and explicit in explanations would be great, along with sample sentences.
How do the dictionaries work? I've heard of the Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary, but that's for only kanji - how about for hiragana and katakana? Are they separate and what are the equally comprehensive ones for those?
Finally, as I won't have access to a native speaker, is an electronic dictionary a good idea? I'm aware that there are pitches to grasp when communicating in Japanese, which is the main issue I would reckon. What brands and models are useful for the learner and with sound (that can speak)?
Any input would be appreciated, cheers.
As I'm starting out on Japanese this month, I intend to purchase a good dictionary that will serve me for years. I've already mastered hiragana and katakana and know how to read/write kanji (from the Chinese language) so I guess dictionary entries with them are find although I don't mind a little roomaji every now and then. Just as long as the dictionary isn't based on roomaji. I prefer English explanations for the entries.
Oh and for the time being, I intend to self-study Japanese due to uni commitments and so forth, so a dictionary which is user friendly and explicit in explanations would be great, along with sample sentences.
How do the dictionaries work? I've heard of the Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary, but that's for only kanji - how about for hiragana and katakana? Are they separate and what are the equally comprehensive ones for those?
Finally, as I won't have access to a native speaker, is an electronic dictionary a good idea? I'm aware that there are pitches to grasp when communicating in Japanese, which is the main issue I would reckon. What brands and models are useful for the learner and with sound (that can speak)?
Any input would be appreciated, cheers.