Oxford Beginner's Chinese Dictionary

I really cannot recommend this book highly enough. It takes an innovative approach of embedding entire box-out sections on aspects of Chinese just by looking that up in English. There's brilliant simple and practical examples in-line with the definitions and the grouping system is highly logical. This is no stuffy dictionary cut-down for beginners, the editors are to be commended for creating a resource which genuinely is in tune with the needs of a Chinese student. The phrases in the back and sections on things like measure words and grammar also deserve special mention. The perfect compliment to a traditional dictionary. And at this price? It's a steal.

This is the dictionary students were waiting for ! Not only clear characters, but also the pinyin pronunciation and outstanding example sentences. I use this book in my beginners classes with great succes. Students love it. I saw many dictionary's the lasr 25 years but this - rather cheap one = is the very best. Prof. Dr Joeri van den Bergh, Netherlands

I am dismayed that some people gave this book a poor score for not being something that it doesn't claim to be. It is not a comprehensive Chinese/English Dictionary. As the title and cover state, it is a beginner's dictionary for first-time learners. It is primarily designed for the student to look up an English word and find the pinyin and characters and how to use them. I have completed my first year of college Chinese classes and could not have survived without this dictionary. The font is a bit bigger than other dictionaries which makes it easier to see all the parts of the characters. The dictionary includes example phrases and sentences which are invaluable for getting the grammar right. My Chinese teacher commented on my correct use of grammar and vocabulary in my writing and asked how I was doing it. I gave all the credit to this dictionary and when she looked at it, she recommended it to her other classes. For a new student learning Chinese the way it's being taught at universities, this is the best there is. (I've purchased 6 Chinese/English dictionaries. Some of the others cover a lot more vocabulary but this is by far the best for a new learner)

This is a very good dictionary for the beginner's level. The presentation is clear and pleasant, the explanation and examples direct, easy to understand and relevant. I particularly like the boxes. I wish the authors will expand it into a more advanced edition, following the same principles. The use of pinyin is certainly a plus.

If you are an english speaker trying to learn Chinese this is one book that you need. It is incredibly useful and well done. Oxford added enough new features that this dictionary is worth it even if you own the previous version (Starter's Dictionary). There are many other resources for the beginner that one could debate which ones to buy. This one will complement any other resource that you choose to use.