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CJEDictionary

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Dictionary Mode (F1)

Queries can be submitted in dictionary mode by typing into the input box at the bottom and pressing "return". Matching dictionary entries are displayed in the main window. What matches a query depends on database, fields, match style options, and pronunciation.

Database

CJEDictionary allows you to search through any subset of the following four databases which you can select or deselect databases from the "database" menu.

• Character (Unihan database)
• Traditional Chinese (CEDICT)
• Simplified Chinese (CEDICT)
• Japanese (EDICT)

Search Field

CJEDictionary allows you to search by any subset of the following fields, which can be selected or deselected from the "search by" menu.

• Term -- Find dictionary entries with term matching the query string.
• Definition -- Find dictionary entry definition matching the query string
• Pronunciation -- Find dictionary entry with (pinyin) pronunciation matching the query string.

Match Style

Match style determines how queries match any field searched. The following styles can be selected from the "match style" menu. "Field" refers to

• Exact -- Field matches entire query string
• Substring -- Field is a substring of the query string
• Superstring -- Field is a superstring of the query string

Pronunciation

CJEDictionary uses five pronunciation styles. Pronunciations affect the way all entries are displayed, as well how the dictionaries, radicals, and characters are searched.

• Pinyin (Chinese)
• Zhuyin (Chinese)
• Cantonese (Chinese)
• Kana (Japanese)
• Roman (Japanese)

Sorting Results

If "Sort results" is selected from the options menu, then the results are sorted by 1. length, 2. position of matching term, 3. stroke count, and finally 4. unicode order.

Querying from the Clipboard

If "Read clipboard" is selected from the options menu, it is possible to query the database by placing text on the windows clipboard (by cutting or copying from any application).

Character Mode (F2)

Search for characters based on radical, additional strokes and/or pronunciation.

Radical Selection

In the box labeled "Radical or num. strokes", you may type any of the following radical descriptions

• Name of the radical (eg. "hand", or "mouth")
• Number of strokes in the radical (eg. "4", or "8-9")
• Pronunciation of radical (eg. for the 口 radical, type "kou3", "ㄎㄡˇ", "hau2", "くち", or "kuchi", depending on selected pronunciation)
• Nothing (select from all radicals)

Then, from the box labeled "Radical", select from among the radicals matching the description. To search by total strokes instead of by radical + num strokes, leave the "Radical or num strokes" box blank and select the blank entry in the "radical" box.

Additonal Strokes

Specify the number of additional strokes, including by range. Leave this box blank to match any number of additional strokes

Pronunciation

Specify the pronounciation of the character you are searching for. Make sure that the type of pronunciation selected from the pronunciation menu item matches the type that you input. Leave this box blank to match any pronunciation.

Query Submission

Press "return" to submit the query. Note that if a radical is "simplified" (respectively "traditional"), it will match only simplified (respectively traditional) characters (e.g. 讠and 言 match different characters). The "form" of the radical, however, dosen't matter (e.g. 手 and 扌 match the same characters).

List Mode (F3)

This mode allows you to keep a list of important terms returned in either Dictionary mode or Character mode for quick reference, which can be useful if you are translating a long document. You can view the current list of terms by pressing F3 or by selecting List mode from the "Search Mode" menu.

Adding Terms

When an entry is displayed in the display window in either Dictinary mode or Character mode, you can add that entry to the list by placing the cursor on the appropriate line and pressing "return".

Removing Terms

To remove a term from the list, place the cursor on the appropriate line in Character Mode and press "delete".亀

Pronunciation

Pronunciation affects all aspects of the dictionary. In Dictionary Mode, a query will match by pronunciation only with the selected pronunciation. In Character mode, In any mode, entries are displayed with the selected pronunciation regardless of how the character was matched.

The following table indicates which pronunciations are available in each database. An x indicates that the pronunciation is available. A Bold x indicates that the pronunciation is the default for the dictionary.

Managing Startup Options

Startup options are specified by the XML file called defaults.xml. Startup options specify which databases are loaded on startup as well as which search options are selected. It is a good idea to load only the database(s) you are usually interested in searching, since loading other databases means longer startup wait and more memory usage.

defaults.xml controls the following options

• Which database(s) Loaded
• The startup mode
• Which "Search By" options are selected
• Whether queries are read from the clipboard
• Whether results are sorted
• Whether the query is displayed
• Which "Match Type" is selected
• Which pronunciation is selected

The recommended way to modify startup options is to select the options you would like and then select "Save Options" from the "File" menu. Alternatively, it is possible to edit "defaults.xml" directly.

Shortcut Keys

CJEDictionary uses the following keyboard shortcuts.