Let's Learn Japanese Picture Dictionary

When I was living in Japan I saw a couple of books like this intended for Japanese people learning English. I thought it was a great resource but it was hard for me (as a native English speaker) to use because many of the Japanese words were in kanji and I didn't know the pronunciation. This book includes the kanji/kana version of each word but the pronunciation is provided in roman letters in case you haven't acquired any reading skills yet. Very handy.This is not a good book to use in place of a regular dictionary, but it's a great way to learn new vocabulary in groups such as animals or things found in the kitchen. It's also a handy tool to have with you if you plan to go to Japan because you can point to a picture in the book if you find yourself unable to convey the object you want to a Japanese speaker. That's probably not necessary for a single item, but if you are looking for multiple things in a store (such as different vegetables) you could point them out to the seller much as you would with a phrase book. You could also take it with you to a tourist destination (such as the beach) and look up words for all of the things that you see there. I will caution you, however, that it's not a small book and not something you'll want to carry around in anything smaller than a tote bag.I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because there are a few (admittedly very few) words in the book which I think were translated poorly. The Japanese love to break English words down into Japanese syllables and use them in place of their own words. Some words are legitimately adopted into their language and sometimes the usage borders on the absurd. I think it's lazy and unnecessary as a student of Japanese to use these loan words if a readily acceptable Japanese word will do and occasionally this book will list the loan word unnecessarily. For example the Japanese use the word "teburu" in place of whatever they used to call tables so completely that a learner would do well to use that word. However, using the word "mashuru-mu" in place of "kinoko" (for mushroom) is just trendy and unnecessary and it's better for the learned to use the real Japanese word.There is a (mostly) unspoken notion in Japan that foreigners cannot really learn Japanese and that attempts at it should be met with polite good humor, the way one might praise a three year-old banging on a piano as making such lovely music. As such, I think responsible learners of the language should do their best to speak the language as best they can and not fall back on a lot of loan words simply because they are easier to remember. This book does a very good job of choosing the most appropriate word for the objects shown, but occasionally I think it misses the mark. Still a solid resource to add to your Japanese language materials.

Lets Learn Japanese Picture Dictionary is a Japanese learning resource targeted at 4-7 graders but one I find to be useful even as an adult. With over 1500 words grouped by subject (usually a place or locale), it shows the scene (reminiscent of Richard Scarry but with lesser artwork and no animals) and then breaks out the individual items. The items are indentified in English, "Romaji" (Japanese word with Roman letters) and then in Japanese (hiragana, katakana, or kanji as appropriate).I really like this when compared to other, similar items such as First Thousand Words In Japanese, as the Lets Learn Japanese Picture Dictionary has the English so it can be used by Japanese speakers. I find that having the picture helps reinforce the idea when compared to just seeing the word. Another feature I like is the Japanese-English glossary and index in the back that helps locate a word in either Japanese or English. The inclusion of Romaji makes this usable by even those who cannot (or in my case forgotten how to) read Japanese kanji or kana. I bought one copy for myself (and my native Japanese speaking wife) and one for my nieces and nephews in Japan. I highly recommend it as a handy practice resource for kids and even adults learning Japanese.

Rather than just an illustrated dictionary, this book consists of double-page spreads with a large picture, and much smaller pictures of the individual items (with the words) on the side. You can look at the words on the side and learn them, then (I suppose) cover them up and look at the main picture and try to identify things from memory. All items are listed in English, Romaji, and Japanese. Please note the Japanese uses kanji with no furigana, so you'll have to use the romaji if you don't know the kanji (which I doubt you would know, otherwise you wouldn't be using this book). Unfortunately the book appears to have been translated to Japanese, that is the pictures show American scenes rather than Japanese scenes. So, the food in the restaurant is all American-type food, no Japanese food. The furniture in the house is Western style, not Japanese style. The mailbox is American, not Japanese (I'd like to know what a Japanese mailbox looks like). The landscapes have no volcanoes ... you get the idea. Otherwise it's a decent book with a large vocabulary. It's just a shame the illustrations couldn't have been customized for Japan, rather than just a Japanese translation of whatever words were already in the book.

I bought this for my kids before we moved to Japan but I have ended up using it more often. I have started teaching English to Japanese students (both adults and kids) and this picture dictionary comes in very handy. The pictures are great and it includes a lot of different words, grouped by scenario. For example, the first couple of pages show a house and every thing in the house is labeled. Each room, the furniture/appliances in each room, and various decor in each room. The next couple of pages show a kitchen and many different types of foods that can be found in a kitchen are labeled. Some of the different scenes that are covered are outer space, the ocean, make-believe (which includes a castle and related items), and human history (cavemen) - just to name a few. I recommend this picture dictionary for anyone who is looking to expose themselves or their children to the Japanese language, even if you aren't travelling to or moving to Japan.

It is an average kind of book. Basically a cut and paste for any language, meaning it lacks cultural insight, making everything from an American's perspective. But I bought it for my collection, so I like it.

Although most of us relate picture dictionaries to children, but this picture dictionary is suitable even for adults who are learning Japanese. There are about 1,500 words to be learnt on various subjects. Name of things in the classrooms, outdoors, bank, post office, jobs, space, pre-historical things, prepositions, adjectives, common verbs, numbers etc.There are a few other Japanese picture dictionaries out there. But the reason I chose this one was simply because, it was the only one I saw comes complete with romaji, Kana and kanji and also the English translation.When ever I have a few minutes to spare I just take this book out and memorize a few more words. I find it easier to remember with the help of some illustrations.

This is the best picture dictionary for Japanese. I have some others, so, I can compare.

L’ho preso perché costava poco e speravo che fosse utile per il mio bimbo e ho scoperto che è davvero bello. Alcune immagini un poco datate perché non è nuovissimo, ma è al 99,9% assolutamente attuale è completo. Belle figure e termini difficili da trovare uno alla volta. Colorato. Bello.

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