I always use external dictionaries when I make LingQ words in a lesson. Of course, LingQ shows the meaning of words, but I can not assure the correctness of the provided meanings and want to see another use of the word in a context. So, I use an external dictionary and translator (when needed) whenever I make new LingQ words.
Do you guys use a dictionary? If so, is there any tips? Plz share with me.
I almost always just use the translations that show when I click the words. If they are missing or seem to not make sense in the context of the sentence I will click “show dictionary meanings” or whatever it was called and that usually solves the problem.
I use a dictionary if the proposals don’t make sense or don’t fit the context, or if different proposals are contrary to each other. I tend to use the dictionary more often if the amount of new words is lower. And it depends on my perception of how crucial it is to know the exact meaning of the word in the given context.
Obviously I have to rely on the dictionary if there is no manmade proposal and the ai proposal is wrong (refering to the wrong word of the sentence, too much words) or in the wrong language and I don’t know the meaning of the proposal made.
This may not be a common approach, but I also always refer to external dictionaries.
Words have both core meanings and derived meanings, and understanding the core meaning is crucial for grasping a word properly.
However, sometimes the first time I encounter a word in context, it’s used with a derived meaning. In such cases, a quick dictionary lookup clarifies its meaning immediately.
Intuitively, looking up a word in a dictionary once feels as effective as encountering it five times in different contexts.
For example, in English, some words share the same spelling across verb, noun, and adjective forms, but not all words do.
Relying solely on context to guess meanings is an inefficient way to learn such distinctions.
In languages I’m less familiar with, I also check the tense, mood, or case in each instance.
For this, a dictionary is essential.
Reconstructing the base form of a word from its inflected form in context is also great practice.
(Of course, I don’t try to memorize it right away—it’s just about exposure.)
Furthermore, I prefer using physical dictionaries. As I flip through the pages, I can check whether I understand the meanings of words that catch my eye.
This also serves as a supplement to SRS. It’s enjoyable to see the bold-printed key words in the dictionary gradually becoming words I already know as I continue learning.
Another advantage of physical dictionaries is that I can find words even if I’m unsure of their exact spelling—especially the ending.