Nelson Character Dictionaries [Archive] - Japan Forum

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Anohito
Feb 26, 2007, 05:36
Does anybody use one of the Nelson character dictionaries to look up the meaning of kanji? I used to have one, but disposed of it a couple of years ago. It was very big and more than 20 years old. However, after seeing what the newer versions cost, I think it may have been a mistake to part with that book. I realize that they are somewhat awkward to use, but they do have a lot of information.

One of the interesting things I learned from it, quite by accident, is that if you pronounce Seiko (as in the watches) with a long "o" it sounds like a two-kanji term that means "sexual intercourse"! (Literally "room business")

senseiman
Feb 26, 2007, 13:14
The Nelson is one of the best Kanji dictionaries. They are pretty comprehensive. I prefer the way the Kodansha dictionary is organized (much easier to look kanji up) but it is nowhere near as comprehensive as the Nelson.