Merriam-Webster's Spanish-English Dictionary
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Book Reviews of Merriam-Webster's Spanish-English Dictionary
Book Review: Great
Summary: 5 Stars
This product has helped me tremendously with my homework. I am really happy that I purchased it.Book Review: Great Resource
Summary: 5 Stars
In my Intermediate College Level Spanish course this dictionary has proved very helpful.Book Review: Merriam-Webster Spanish English Dictionary Review by James
Summary: 4 Stars
This is James from James Spanish (the learning Spanish blog). One of the most recognized and trusted names in reference books, you expect a dictionary from Merriam-Webster to be high quality, and the Spanish-English Dictionary doesn't disappoint.
Many words include sample sentences so that you can see how the word is used in context, allowing you to make suitable word choices or extract even subtle meanings. These phrases are often useful and a handy way to build your vocabulary.
The dictionary is up to date, with many modern and idiomatic words and phrases to help you translate even slang Spanish. While other dictionaries may be old fashioned in their choice of what words to include, or may not cover some more modern expressions, this reference tool is comprehensive and contemporary.
With a helpful section at the front on the basics of Spanish grammar, sentence structure, punctuation and conjugation, the dictionary is great for brushing up on any language issues that you are struggling with.
The introduction on how to get the most out of the dictionary is also a useful resource, ensuring that you can find what you are looking for quickly and easily.
All of the definitions are laid out in familiar Merriam-Webster format, and are clear and easy to read despite the dictionary's small size.
Ideal for checking spelling, meaning, context and conjugation, the dictionary is aimed primarily at English speakers looking to learn Spanish, but works well for native Spanish speakers learning English as a second language too... a testament to just how accurate and useful both the definitions and examples are.
As tiny in size as it is big in usefulness, the dictionary will fit into just about any bag or purse and is sure to be used time and time again. Much more comprehensive than most travel or pocket sized dictionaries, if you are looking for a portable but powerful Spanish-English dictionary then this is the one to buy.
In closing my review of this product, I'd like to share with you the three Amazon products that I have found most helpful in my pursuit to learn Spanish. If you are truly serious about achieving fluency, I'd recommend getting all 3 of them if you can afford it.
1. Lights, Camera, Spanish (Book + DVD): Learn Conversational Spanish by Watching a Romantic Adventure This is actually a 90 minute movie for Spanish-language learners. It gives the option to watch the movie with subtitles but I'd recommend not using them to improve your Spanish. This "movie" also includes a workbook so that you can reinforce the Spanish vocabulary words and phrases from the film. The workbook also has lots of exercises to keep you engaged in the film. But be prepared to hear Chilean accents. Although pleasent to the ear, the accents from Chile are very different from most Latin American accents.
2. Verbarrator Version 1.1 (Windows Version) This software replaces the traditional verb conjugation books and makes learning how to conjugate Spanish verbs an interactive and fun activity. This should be a required resource for anyone who wants to improve their ability to conjugate Spanish verbs. Especially anyone who is challenged by the drudgery of learning how to conjugate Spanish verbs and who is looking for a new way to make learning how to conjugate Spanish verbs an easy and fun activity
3. Diccionario esencial de la lengua espanola de la Real Academia Espanola (Spanish Edition) If you are really serious about speaking the language fluently, then at some point you will need to replace your Spanish-English dictionary and get a pure Spanish dictionary with both the vocabulary words and the definitions entirely in Spanish. I use this one only because it was highly-recommended by a friend from Spain who teaches Spanish.
Book Review: How to Choose and Use a Dictionary...
Summary: 4 Stars
The old saying about dictionaries being obsolete by the time they are printed is less true now, with our modern technology, but there remains another weak link in the chain that we seldom talk about when reviewing dictionaries: the user. As a professor of Spanish (Golden Age) and as a professional translator (technical and literary), I am a dictionary junkie. That means I have all sorts of dictionaries, each with its particular strengths.
If a person uses a dictionary for what it is not meant to be and encounter problems, it is not from a weakness of the dictionary, but rather a misunderstanding of the user. "Don't use a screwdriver for a hammer" and then complain that it doesn't allow you to drive or remove nails well.
This dictionary is not going to give users the regional nuances of certain words. It isn't a source of information about comparative usage. For that, there are other dictionaries and reference materials, such as Cassell's beyond the dictionary in Spanish;: A handbook of everyday usage -- with a slight inclination toward Peninsular Spanish, written from the perspective of British English -- and a wonderful book. There is also Dictionary of Spoken Spanish.
Book Review: Excellent portable reference work
Summary: 4 Stars
This small (7"X4") dictionary, along with "Barron's Spanish Verbs", is my much used reference for an attempt to learn spoken Spanish. Its size and general comprehensiveness makes it essential as well as handy, in class and out. At 735 pages, it's crammed with vocabulary and some grammar explanations, but it doesn't seem bulky and isn't difficult to tote to class.
As a beginning student, I haven't yet failed to find a word needed for my level. The only small criticism that I would offer is that while definitions and usage are mostly clear, occasionally it's necessary to check on whether a word is used universally. I've compared the M-W Spanish-English Dictionary with those being used by classmates, and it is better by far than most anything else available..