I recommend Monokakido's dictionaries!

The end of service for "goo Dictionary," which had existed since the dawn of the internet, has become news.

So, this time, it's about dictionaries.

*6/28 Added some updates

Opportunities to look up words have increased

To begin with, aren't opportunities to use dictionaries in daily life decreasing?

If there is a word you don't know, we live in an era where you can find out immediately by searching, starting with services like the aforementioned goo Dictionary.

I feel that the opportunity to go out of one's way to take out a dictionary and look something up has decreased significantly.

However, in my case, the opportunities to use dictionaries have actually increased in recent years.

This is because I have become involved in "Braille translation volunteering," which is involved in the production of Braille books for visually impaired people to read.

This volunteer work is the process of "translating" from the original text written in characters into Braille. In terms of content and copyright, it is necessary to be faithful to the original.

In that work, a dictionary is absolutely essential.

Typical examples include how to read kanji, and how to read place names and personal names.

However, there are many pieces of information searched for "vaguely" on the internet where the authority (the basis for being relied upon and trusted) is unknown.

In proofreading work, where one compares with the original text to correct errors, such things are treated as uncertain.

Therefore, if there is anything I don't understand, even a little, the need arises to look it up in a proper "dictionary."

I wanted to proceed with this work while out and about rather than at home. Therefore, I needed to carry a dictionary with me on a daily basis.

However, it is impossible to put such thick and heavy things in my bag every day.

There was the option of an electronic dictionary, but it was ideal to be able to complete everything on my iPhone without increasing the number of things I carry.

So, I was looking for something good, like an app.

Monokakido's dictionaries are just too convenient!

That's when I noticed a dictionary app called "Monokakido".

I've been using it for 4 or 5 years, and I find it very convenient.

I will introduce its benefits.

Numerous benefits

First, the app's screen looks like this.

It has a very simple screen layout that displays the results of your word search. It feels like looking up a word in a paper dictionary.

Of course, you can change the text size to one that is easy to read. It supports dark mode.

I think it's easiest to understand if you think of it as an app version of a so-called electronic dictionary.

However, since it runs on an iPhone, the operation is very snappy and comfortable.

You can use a wide variety of dictionaries

Since this app acts as a dictionary viewer, you need to purchase "dictionary data" separately within the app.

The lineup is extremely rich in variety.

From various languages to accent dictionaries, niche genres are also available.

The dictionary data itself costs about as much as a paper dictionary (around several thousand yen).

However, this is also a benefit.

Because you can access the dictionary data itself.

When you search online, you might only get a brief summary. With this app, the dictionary itself is included. You can read all the detailed explanations.

And this data will receive sequential updates. Of course, these are free in principle.

※I have been informed that major updates, such as revisions, may be subject to a fee.

With a paper dictionary, once you buy it, you rarely replace it. With dictionaries like Daijisen, which include new words and buzzwords, you can always use the latest data.

The dictionary data itself is large, but once purchased, it can be downloaded again.

Look up anything, anywhere, offline

Since the dictionary data is on your device, you don't need an internet connection. Also, unlike regular web searches, no ads are displayed.

You can focus on your research.

Because it's an app, you can carry it with you at all times. It's not heavy.

There are also iPad and Mac versions. The dictionary data is linked to your account, so it can be shared across various devices.

If you use the iPad version, I think it's convenient to use it in conjunction with features like Split View.

I personally like using it as a multi-screen setup, keeping the iPhone app open next to my iPad or Mac.

History is saved

The history of the words you looked up is saved like this. It is also shared with other devices. There is also a bookmark feature.

Of course, it is synced via iCloud.

Handwriting search

For characters you don't know how to read, you can use handwriting search.

Electronic dictionaries also have this feature, but since you can do it using the responsive iPhone, it's stress-free.

Cross-dictionary search

You can look up the same search term across multiple dictionaries.

Different dictionaries may have different pronunciations, priorities, and explanations. It is very convenient for comparison.

You can also use it to look up terms across multiple languages.

Trace Search

If you find a word you don't understand within the definition of a term you've looked up, you can trace that word to go directly to the search screen from there.

You can keep looking up words you don't understand in a nested fashion.

Clipboard Search

From here, we will move on to the app's distinctive features.

First is Clipboard Search.

You can have it constantly monitor the clipboard and automatically search the dictionary when text is copied.

This also supports Universal Clipboard, where the clipboard is shared across devices.

So, for example,

While reading text on a Mac or iPad, an unknown word appears
↓
copy that word
↓
it is automatically searched in the dictionary app on your iPhone sitting on the table

You can perform tricks like this.

Once you use this feature, you won't be able to live without it.

I also recommend using iPad Split View to open your content and the dictionary side-by-side.

Pattern Search (Wildcards)

Here is another distinctive feature.

You can use so-called wildcards.

For example,

Words like "○○-matsu"—wait, was it 'homatsu', 'tenmatsu', what was it again?

When you're in that situation,

you can search for "*matsu".

Then, ah! It was "泡沫" (homatsu), and you can reach the word you were looking for.

This is another feature that you won't be able to live without once you start using it.

Of course, prefix match, suffix match, exact match, and more are also available.

Enjoying dictionaries as "reading material"!

Finally, a unique (?) way to enjoy them.

I think many dictionary lovers have had the experience of just flipping through the pages and browsing.

I, for one, absolutely love doing that.

That's why this app has a feature that lets you enjoy the dictionary itself as reading material.

If you go through the menu to "Other -> List of Content Appendices," you will reach a screen like this.

From here, for example, if you open "Important Words," you will see a screen where headwords are arranged in a matrix.

You can scroll up, down, left, and right. If you see a headword that catches your eye, you can open it. From there, you can continue to browse and enjoy the next headword and so on.

Also, appendices like these, which are usually found at the beginning or end of a dictionary, are fully included.

Once again, I highly recommend it!

That concludes my introduction to the Monokakido dictionary app.

I highly recommend it.

When you first purchase the dictionary data, it costs a fair amount, so it is hard not to feel a bit hesitant, but they do hold sales for limited periods.

Once you have bought it, it is extremely convenient and can be used for a long time, so I highly recommend it.