Comments on: MDBG Online Dictionary - My review

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:06:25 +0000

MDBG is supremely helpful, I agree. It is great to see it recognized here!

I too was frustrated at the Internet’s general lack of a dedicated Chinese Idiom database, so I made one.

I am very interested in Chinese Idioms, and though I can almost never remember the appropriate idiom at opportune times, I enjoy reading and learning about them.

The database allows three methods of search:

Search for an idiom using the idiom itself - for times when you see an idiom somewhere, can copy the idiom’s characters, but haven’t been able to find a translation.

Search for idioms by the English meaning - for times when you _know_ there exists a Chinese Idiom with meaning x (you’ve seen it before), but can’t remember the characters/pronunciation.

And my personal favourite (and the main reason I created this database): search for idioms by keyword! Want to see all idioms somehow linked to swords? Boats? Love? Yellow? What to find an idiom with the character “输”? If the user who entered the idiom included your keyword when they added their idiom, then you’ll find it!

Users can edit idioms they entered into the database, but not others. This is to protect each user’s work. If a user wishes, they may apply for full admin permission, allowing that user to modify any idiom.

It is quite small at the moment (I’m adding idioms as fast as I can, but I _do_ have exams coming up), but I’m hoping that people will register and help me build it up.

I’d really appreciate it if anyone would take a look:

http://pagesofinterest.net/idiom/database.php

_Any_ comments, criticism, bug reporting, suggestions, notifications of possible security flaws or (most of all) contributions would be most appreciated.

Thanks for reading, and 加油！

By: Joel

Joel — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 05:39:07 +0000

I think MDBG just added handwriting input. We use the MDBG dictionary every day. Saves me form buying Wenlin.

By: Franklin

Franklin — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:15:09 +0000

Its very gratifying to read an excellent review of MDBG Online Dictionary. I have been using it for years and it keeps getting better and better.

By: DV

DV — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:07:28 +0000

The MDBG dictionary has handwriting input now too:
http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php

Just click the brush icon next to the input field.

By: Albert

Albert — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:14:34 +0000

Wow! That handwriting thing really IS cool.

By: Dani

Dani — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:31:16 +0000

Another good dictionary, which has something the MDBG hasn´t: you can write the characters!! http://www.nciku.com/

Todavía está en beta.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:59:46 +0000

When you reach the main page. You then click to enter the main tools page. I then click on Translate. Which brings up another page with a window so that I may enter my text. The translation is done via an outside link. I would be very interested to know if this PHP script or whatever could harness another software engine such as Transwhiz or Systran. Then the resulting translation is shown. (mediocre in usage) Below the translation is the area that I find most useful. There is another tool - to Annotate the text. but again I do not find this so useful either. And simple segmentation already exists within the Annotate tool. However, having segmentation, annotation, chinese characters along with possible english meanings is quite useful for my projects and purposes. I have noticed that my constant usage of this tool has increased my reading ability. It also has enhanced my passive learning and memory for Chinese characters. By the way, I use this tool for several hours a day. My only complaint is concerning the english meanings given or the lack of insufficient vocabulary range. Obviously, I do not have the ability nor the desire to build a better mouse trap. So I am content and satisfied to use what is available. Here is a link to yet another useful dictionary. http://cdict.giga.net.tw/?q=obsession
I would post my western style Chinese poems but most blogs are blocked by China.

By: Albert

Albert — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:27:30 +0000

Jim,

I don’t know what you mean. Would you mind slapping a link to that tool in a comment so we can all see what you’re talking about?

By: jim

jim — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:06:26 +0000

What I find amazing is how many people overlook the most useful function of MDBG. Even within your fine tutorial you completely sidestep it. Dictionaries on a whole are not all that useful. Even the expensive ones on the Net produce strange results in my opinion. After translating a sentence or paragraph or much longer text; MDBG produces on a separate page the resultant translation (which is mediocre). However, as one scrolls down the page a virtual gold mine of valuable resources appears. The main pitfall of this invaluable resource is to be found in the eccentric dictionary phenomena I mentioned above. I spend countless hours using MDBG. In the past I even requested to purchase the whole package. I happen to write Western style poems using Chinese. Obviously, IF I send some of these to you; you could easily critique them until the cows came in. MDBG is also very useful to quickly annotate and segment Chinese texts along with some help with Cheng Yu. Dictionaries and translation software are what they are. Before MDBG I certainly could not do what I am able to do now. Even Transwhiz or Systran is incapable of performing this simple but essential task! Lastly, please do not consider my enthusiasm for MDBG to be considered cocky or proud.

By: Rod

Rod — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:34:22 +0000

zhongwen.com’s extra information about the roots of traditional chinese characters is a great. It really helps with understanding of how the written language has been formed. I like the character trees because I can easily find characters that share the same radical. The site hasn’t changed much in a long time and a few more characters would be good.

How simplified Chinese characters were developed is explained well in wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_chinese