辞書

• Reading: じしょ
• Romaji: jisho
• Kanji breakdown: 辞 (ji) — word, speech, resign; 書 (sho/ka) — write, book
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.ɕo/

Meaning

Dictionary; lexicon. A reference book containing words and their definitions.

An essential tool for Japanese language learners. Common types include 和英辞書 (waei jisho, Japanese-English dictionary) and 英和辞書 (eiwa jisho, English-Japanese dictionary). Electronic dictionaries (電子辞書) were once very popular in Japan, though smartphone apps have largely replaced them.

Examples

1. 分からない言葉は辞書で調べます。 I look up words I don't know in the dictionary.
2. 辞書を貸してくれませんか。 Could you lend me a dictionary?
3. 日本語の辞書を買いました。 I bought a Japanese dictionary.

Usage Guide

Context: study, school, reading

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 辞 (ji, word/speech) + 書 (sho, writing/book). Literally 'book of words.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal