Windows/Mac/Linux: DimSum is a dictionary program and more that uses the ever-expanding CEDICT for its data. This program has been around for years and has improved over time. Because it runs on Java Runtime Environment (JRE) it is effectively cross-platform. Use it for its pop-up dictionary, handwritten character recognition, abacus (!), pinyin inserter, and more. See below for screenshots and a brief walkthrough of some of its features:
In order to view pinyin with tone mark (zhèyàng) instead of with numbers (zhe4yang4), set “Romanization” to “Hanyu Pinyin (tone marks)” in the preferences panel:
To use DimSum’s most basic function, the annotator, simply paste Chinese text into the text box, and move the mouse curser above a word or character:
As you can see, the program is smart enough to parse phrases. To convert traditional characters to simplified characters (or vice-versa), simply go to Tools>Convert Characters to…
here are the results:
To use the standard dictionary, click on the second tab on the left edge:
This will invoke the radical chart, as well as let you paste individual characters and search by pinyin.
To search by writing a characters, first invoke the dictionary, as above, then select “Search by Written Character” in the lower-right:
Then, simply write the character with your mouse:
With each stroke, DimSum will suggest possible characters below:
Closer…
Closer…
There! No need to write the whole character. We got close enough.
Double-click on the character to bring up the results:
To see what else DimSum can do, click on “Programs”:
Let’s look briefly at “family titles.” Chinese is notorious for its complex system of kinship terms, so let’s try some out:
There is much more to DimSum. Have a go.
[…] the previously-mentioned program DimSum, the handwriting recognition function updates its search results as you add more […]
By: NCIKU: More than a dictionary « Electric Sinophile ⓔ華狂 on May 11, 2008
at 7:28 pm
very well
By: fakuojen on September 17, 2008
at 3:14 pm
ok
By: fakuojen on September 17, 2008
at 3:15 pm