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Jim Breen on the iPhone

Started by tofugu · 11 months ago

I’ve always been a fan of Jim Breen’s Japanese dictionary, so when I found out that there’s an iPhone app out for it, I was really happy. Finally, I don’t have to load the entire Jim Breen page, and now, with the iPhone’s new ability to write in Japanese, all my dirty iPhone dreams would [...] ... Continue reading »

45 comments

  • ch1ka

    11 months ago

    Hey there =]
    you can get dictionarys on the DS ...i hope your talking about nintendo DS...
    if you are, then please could you tell me where to get the DS dictionary from?!
    i dont have an iphone (and i always carry my DS! haha)
    reply
  • Tofugu_Erin

    11 months ago

    http://www.tofugu.com/2007/08/02/studying-japan...

    I would suggest searching around online for the games mentioned in the above article. I'm sure a lot of sites (Amazon, YesAsia etc) have it.
    reply
  • 10khend9

    11 months ago

    My dictionary is called Kanji Sonomama DS Rakubiki Jiten, and it is amazing. Follow Erin's advice on how to get one like it.
    reply
  • ch1ka

    11 months ago

    Ah ok, i'll definately search around and find something - thanks for the help, really appreciate it.
    reply
  • Tofugu_Erin

    11 months ago

    Mr. Breen seems like a pretty cool guy.
    reply
  • koichi

    11 months ago

    who probably knows where his towel's at
    reply
  • emiko

    11 months ago

    yay someone who knows where their towels at . . . i thought no one else used that line
    reply
  • Roxanne

    10 months ago

    I LOVE Jim Breen's dictionary!
    reply
  • Viet

    11 months ago

    Two bars?
    reply
  • koichi

    11 months ago

    yeah, I don't get much where I live :(

    ...though, one of the rooms in my apartment will hit 4/5 bars, which is where I have to go every time I call someone on my cell. Thankfully, I've got VoiP now.
    reply
  • Maciel

    11 months ago

    whats VoiP???
    reply
  • Viet

    11 months ago

    reply
  • Maciel

    11 months ago

    oh alright thanks
    reply
  • emiko

    11 months ago

    Hmm, I don't have an I phone, so I can't really apply to this. But I think that it is really cool that people are able to invent things like this, it makes it easier for people, especially when they're traveling. What was the world like before we had technology . . . must have been a lot harder
    reply
  • 10khend9

    11 months ago

    I just downloaded this for my iPod touch. Works well enough so far. While not as good a the dictionary on my DS it is a lot lighter and more convienient than a bulky DS that I don't always have on me.

    Was alerted to this post by twitter by the way.
    reply
  • ch1ka

    11 months ago

    Hey there =]
    you can get dictionarys on the DS ...i hope your talking about nintendo DS...
    if you are, then please could you tell me where to get the DS dictionary from?!
    i dont have an iphone (and i always carry my DS! haha)
    reply
  • heartlessangel

    11 months ago

    I have one for my ds also that I love they have alot of dif versions out there I dnt remember were I got mine frm but U can get it off of yesasia.com I love nintendo by the way cause with the ds there is no region restrictions so you can use a ds game frm ne where sorry I work at a game store so I get a lil excited lol
    reply
  • lawnmowerlatte

    11 months ago

    Like heartlessangel said, yesasia.com has them for sale.

    I like this one (http://tinyurl.com/57uucz). It's a little hard to understand the interface at first, but as you get used to it, you'll find it's very powerful. Great for looking up kanji. However, you have to write it in the correct stroke order, which is hard for beginners.

    If you want to practice correct stroke order, try this one (http://tinyurl.com/69oqpc).
    頑張って！
    (Good luck!)
    reply
  • josh T

    11 months ago

    I bought the iJisho application first, and then downloaded the Jim Breen one.
    To be honest, I thought that the iJisho application was much better - it was faster, easier to use and had better definitions.
    The Jim Breen one is good for a free app, but as a proper learning tool it just doesnt stand up in my opinion.
    reply
  • lawnmowerlatte

    11 months ago

    Just posting some links I use.

    http://iphone.jisho.org/
    This is similar to the wwwJDic application, but in my experience it works better.

    These are more for Kanji studying than an actual dictionary:
    http://www.sp.cis.iwate-u.ac.jp/icampus/u/akanj...
    The first is a Kanji flash card of sorts. It separates units by Genki (and other books') chapters.

    http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/...
    The second is really good. It's an actual app. $.99 It's called 'Kanji' by Lima Sky. It only has 103 for the JLPT level 4, but it's very polished and good looking. It has a nice big display and examples. When you click, it shows meaning and pronunciation. Probably not so good for more advanced students, but if you're beginning it's great!
    reply
  • Mai

    11 months ago

    I have an iTouch, can I still use?
    reply
  • koichi

    11 months ago

    definitely
    reply
  • 10khend9

    11 months ago

    Yep, as long as you have the iPod Touch 2.0 update you can use it.
    reply
  • Kit Born

    11 months ago

    Jim Breen updated his backend a few days after the app went live and caused it to crash a bunch. (He removed a few spaces...) The update has been submitted to Apple and will be available as soon as they release it.
    reply
  • koichi

    11 months ago

    Awesome - I look forward to the update! Are you a Jim Breen iPhone App insider / Jim Breen insider?
    reply
  • Kit Born

    10 months ago

    I am part of the team that made the app. You can find out more at http://www.cslmedia.org/iphone
    reply
  • Maciel

    11 months ago

    wow! and IPhone lol i only know one person who has it
    is the iphone good???
    reply
  • Viet

    11 months ago

    It is hard not to spot someone with an iPhone here in Seattle.

    I love mine. Best part of the phone is the web browser. I use the Mail app a lot for work and school, but it leaves a lot to be desired. I prefer it over the Windows Mobile phones. My next phone may be a Google Android type depending how that shapes up...
    reply
  • Maciel

    11 months ago

    oh thats cool
    and i think the reason i dont see a lot off ppl with one is cause im 16 and i dont go out much to the more populated areas of town

    when does the next phone(google android type?) come out???
    reply
  • Izeyhec

    11 months ago

    lol this is so true when i go down town i see them left and right lol
    reply
  • St

    11 months ago

    Last screenshot has 犬猿の仲 on it, one of my favorite idiomatic expressions!
    reply
  • JackTamaki

    11 months ago

    I was in Japan when the iPhone came out. The news was always commenting on the crazily long lines. People were pretty excited.
    reply
  • クリス

    11 months ago

    I enjoy using this app, saves me time from using Safari and going through the whole zooming in and typing mess. There is also a Mixi app for those who have an account. However, the only way to get the app is to have a registered iTunes account 'located' in Japan, otherwise you're only limited to 'regional' applications.

    If you do want to get apps outside of your region, register an iTunes account with an iTunes gift card. This also works for downloading music from Japan and other regions.
    reply
  • koichi

    11 months ago

    iTunes gift card works!?? I've been trying to figure out a way to download Japanese music on iTunes - in fact, I was working on an article about getting Japanese podcasts, since I couldn't find the music part. Thanks for the info! I'm gonna try this.
    reply
  • クリス

    11 months ago

    Gift cards work indeed. Although, I can't figure out why Apple would only restrict us to downloading music from our region, if they take off that restriction, they'd make more money, right?

    If anyone else wants to try, just get a hold of a gift card, and when purchasing whatever content you're looking for, the login window will pop up and as for your account information. Instead of signing in, just click the 'create new account' button and then the 'redeem code' button. Input your gift card information and tada~! You'll be downloading your Japanese content in no time.
    reply
  • koichi

    11 months ago

    Probably not their rules. Apple would never give up the opportunity to
    not make more money :)
    reply
  • Viet

    11 months ago

    The restriction is probably the music industry doing.
    reply
  • rajivp

    11 months ago

    I have kanji flip, a great kanji flash card program for the iPhone. 2.99 US$ only
    I also have a wonderful kanji dictionary for the DS. Can draw the characters, english to Jap to English. No multisearch but great. Can't wait for a stand alone dictionary for the iPhone...
    reply
  • emiko

    11 months ago

    omg! this is way off topic, but did anyone else see the olympic opening? it was amazing!
    reply
  • Viet

    11 months ago

    Yes, it was amazing. Zhang Yimou put together a really good show.

    I liked how the countries were introduce based on the number of strokes to write their name in Kanji.

    My sister was at the show. Sent me a bragging email earlier today :(
    reply
  • emiko

    11 months ago

    ah! your sister is sooo lucky!

    i loved the kaji concept too, i was wondering how the ordering was going to be!

    my favorite part was when they lit the torch, that poor guy had to run a lot though and there was NO GROUND!

    i was really impressed! i don't know if anyone will be able to surpass it!
    reply
  • Izeyhec

    11 months ago

    aaaaa the iphone it is a nice phone i really should up grade from my blackberry lol but for now im happy with what i got but the dictionary would come in handy in class and when doin home work on the road
    reply
  • benwulf

    10 months ago

    Another Kanji reference and study app for the iphone and ipod touch which is just out today in the appstore is:
    shinkanji [url]http://shinkanji.bcerrina.com[/url]
    (appstore install link: [url]http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=288546107&mt=8[/url]).
    This contains some pretty unique features to navigate kanji structures and promise to include look up in the edict dictionary from Jim Breen (although this is not yet implemented)
    reply
  • Jomann

    8 months ago

    turns out kotoba is really great app too, and you dont need wifi to use it, its all saved on your phone or touch, and it has the same features plus more.
    reply
  • German

    2 months ago

    When you use this application you have to be connected to wi-fi or to pay for internet usage with your phone provider?

    Thanks
    reply

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