Languages > French

Advantages: Much more than word definitions
Disadvantages: It's heavy!

Although aimed mainly at advanced learners or professional users such as translators, I would recommend this dictionary to any serious learner of the French language, partly because of the informative central section, but also because it will show you the correct word to use where there are several possibilities. Brits who emigrate to France or have second homes there will find a wealth of material to make life easier if they are not already fluent ...
...the dictionary and recognise synonyms, parts of speech, letters for different meanings, asterisks indicating informal language, etc. Some entries have a box underneath that gives cultural information, for example, arrondissement, which has no direct English equivalent, but is the word for the numbered areas into which Paris is divided. I was unaware that departements are also divided into three or four arrondisements, or administrative areas. 'Fetes ... Read review

Advantages: complete
Disadvantages: it is ony a dictionary

For my first opinion in English, I wanted to talk about a very useful* things for a French girl like me, who try to write something in English, the dictionary Robert & Collins French/English unabridged* (fifth edition). I had a little dictionary, it had enough translation for travelling. But in high-school I’m in a literature course* where languages are very important* so I bought the Robert & Collins French/English unabridged* and it is for ...
...than 2 000 pages and about 600 000 translations. It begins with “How to use the dictionary”. This part explains the abbreviation’s signification, what the punctuation means… Then, there is a part which explains English and French pronunciation. (Aspirate “h”, mute “e”…) It could be very helpful. Then the translations begin. First the French to English dictionary, about 990 pages, and lots of ... Read review

Advantages: complete, easy to use
Disadvantages: the price

...I have my best friend: Collins-Robert French dictionary who just told me that hopefully takes just 1 p. I studied English in La Sorbonne (smart, isn't it?) so the first book I had to buy was a good dictionary. This one was the one our teachers adviced us to use. One of the big advantages of this dictionary is to give both British and American translation of each word so the student can stay coherent in his/her way of speaking. The grammar chapter ...
...of different kind of lettres (really usefull if you want to find a job accross the Channel). The translations are complete and well explained. The only disadvantage of this dictionary is his price: 350 francs (around 35£. I don't know how much it is in Euro but it's not a problem as you won't change your money in 2002). I had the opportunity to compare with other dictionaries, but this one is the most usefull for high level studies. And now I'm ... Read review

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...is a rather rude way of saying something a little bit ruder than "He's as thick as two short planks!" and is just one of a number of class locutions for uttering to lecturers, French Assistants, teachers, exchange families etc... at you disposal in this dictionary. For anyone studying French past GCSE Level, then this dictionary is undoubtedly going to be on a recommended list of dictionary, perhaps only facing competition from a dictionary published ...
...this dictionary for French A Level and a French Degree, as well as a base for French for Professional Use A Level modules. Fortunately, being from a recognised publisher (Harper Collins) it means, that unlike some other dictionaries, it is available at most good bookshops, and online (and also at a few rotten bookshops!). So what is it about this dictionary that makes it so good. Well apart from the memory of school French lessons that this weighty ... Read review