LearnPlus Recommended Spanish Dictionaries

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Spanish Dictionaries

Pocket Oxford Spanish Dictionary

This dictionary is small in size but not so small in content. This edition is updated and includes contemporary terms of both Castilian and Latin American Spanish. The layout has been enhanced: the use of color and tables makes it much easier to look up words. You will also find special entries for frequently used expressions and grammatically important words. A separate section in the middle contains information about the Spanish-speaking world, from holidays and celebrations to notes about culture and life. There are also examples of common correspondence.
Although the single entries in Spanish do not have an indication of their pronunciation, there is a guide to Spanish pronunciation at the beginning of the dictionary. At the end you will find additional information: a glossary of grammatical terms, a summary of Spanish grammar, and tables of Spanish verbs.

The dictionary is not exactly a pocket size (unless your pockets are fairly large), but it is compact and easy to carry around. There are enough words and phrases to cover all common language uses, especially if you are a beginner, and it is a comprehensive reference to take with you if you travel.

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Pricing & Order - USA or Pricing & Order - UK

Collins Spanish Dictionary Plus Grammar

One of the best concise dictionaries available. It is compact, but comprehensive. It is very easy to use and up-to-date: for instance, it includes contemporary terms about computers, business, tourism, etc. It also indicates when words are used in Latin American Spanish rather than in Castilian Spanish. Note that the gender of the Spanish nouns is given for nouns that do not follow the general rule 'nouns ending in '-o' are masculine and nouns ending in 'a' are feminine.'
This dictionary does not only provide translations from and into English/Spanish, but shows the main uses of important words and typical expressions. It gives many examples that indicate how to use a certain term correctly so that you can quickly understand how to best formulate your sentence in Spanish. There are also special notes about Spanish life and culture.

Another big plus of the dictionary is the section about Spanish grammar. It is concise, but thorough. The explanations are straightforward and made even clearer by many examples.
This is a great little dictionary to look up something quickly and take with you travelling, especially if you go studying Spanish abroad.

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Pricing & Order - UK (only)

Oxford Spanish Dictionary and Grammar

This Spanish-English-Spanish dictionary is good and fairly extensive given the size of the book, although the layout is slightly updated. If you like the more glossy dictionaries available nowadays, you may find the looks of this one a bit too 'bookish.' It is not always easy to find the word you are looking for quickly, but at least the book is lighter than 'sleeker' editions.
This is a two-in-one reference and the real plus of it is in the 'Grammar' part of its title. The Grammar section is concise, but comprehensive. It covers all the main rules of Spanish with easy-to-understand explanations and many examples. If you are unfamiliar with grammatical terms in English, you will find the glossary especially helpful. There is also a quick guide to Spanish pronunciation.
This is a good 'small' dictionary if you are looking for a reference grammar and don't mind the 'retro' look of the text. If you prefer less grammar and a more easy-to-use dictionary, try the other 'small' edition above.

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Oxford Spanish Dictionary

A hardback edition that will cover all your language needs even if you are a Spanish teacher! The layout makes use of color and boxes to give visual help in finding the right entry. The vocabulary is up-to-date, extensive, and covers 24 varieties of Spanish spoken all over the world. Each noun is shown with its gender and irregular plural forms are also given. There are highlighted notes about life and culture in Spanish-speaking countries as well as extensive entries for grammatical words or constructions that can be difficult for foreign learners.
The middle section deals with correspondence. You will find many sample letters for different purposes: 'Vacation and Travel Plans,' 'The World of Work,' 'Using the Internet,' and so on.
At the front of the dictionary there is a pronunciation guide, while at the back there are tables to help with the conjugation of the Spanish verbs.

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Collins Spanish Dictionary

A big, hardcover dictionary with all the good features of the concise one, but more words! Unlike the concise version, this edition indicates the gender of all the Spanish nouns. The dictionary is visually well-organized and easy-to-use. There are examples of common sentences as well as idiomatic expressions (called 'modismos' in Spanish). There are also useful 'grammar boxes' that highlight the most difficult entries, especially those grammar points that prove hard to foreigners.
The dictionary has a central section called 'Language in Use' where you will find plenty of examples of real-life expressions from 'suggestions' to 'apologies,' 'job applications' to 'commercial correspondence,' and many more. This section can help you understand how to express yourself correctly in various situations (telephone, e-mail, writing, etc.)
This is a good dictionary for studying and a solid reference tool for anyone interested in the Spanish language.

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Pricing & Order - UK (only)

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