Free Spanish English Dictionary + app review: the ideal reference tool for beginners

Introduction

Offering over 32,000 translations and usage examples available offline, this iPhone and iPad app can be used by globetrotters and students alike. Users also get access to a phrasebook, audio pronunciations, quizzes, and 1,559 conjugated words, among other features.

As someone whose Spanish had become rather rusty, the functionality and practicality of Free Spanish English Dictionary has reinvigorated my desire to continue learning and using the language in some capacity everyday.

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Interface And Dictionary

Upon opening the app, the main interface by default takes you to a dictionary, which includes a search function. The beauty of it is that words are listed both in English and Spanish, so searching from one language to another doesn't require that you constantly change settings. The predictive text is very intuitive; it has guessed words and phrases correctly before I finished typing them every single time.

Each dictionary entry consists of the translation, pronunciation (requires Internet), and an example of usage where relevant. You also have the option of adding photos to each entry as well as notes in audio and text format to help you remember words more effectively. Entries can be shared by email with a single tap.

Since most of these entries are also available offline, travelers need not worry about hunting down a Wi-Fi hotspot to communicate with locals.

 

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Phrases And Verbs

The Phrases feature is a comprehensive database of practical sentences such as Asking Directions, Eating Out, and Emergencies as well as social or fun phrases like Greetings, Making Friends, and Flirting. If you learn a new phrase which doesn't exist in the phrasebook, you can even add your own entries under the My Phrases option.

The Verb Conjugations section is laid out exactly like the Dictionary interface, in list form of both Spanish and English verbs. Each entry contains conjugation in Present, Past, Future, Perfect, Future Perfect, Subjunctive, and Conditional forms which can be viewed in a Table or as a List.

You can also view the English or Spanish verb in Spanish or English respectively with a single tap on the Translate button, which is a nice little extra thrown in by the developers.

The dictionary, phrasebook, and verb conjugation databases are all available in both Spanish and English and can be extended via in-app purchases.

 

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Pros & Cons

Pros

• Enjoy a simple, functional and minimalist interface
• Get access to over 32,000 translations and usages in offline mode
• Search for words both in Spanish and English without changing any settings
• Learn verb conjugations quickly and efficiently using the List and Table views
• Enjoy day-to-day phrases from several categories in the phrasebook
• Test your knowledge with quizzes

 

Cons

• There is nothing negative to say about this app

 

Final Words

Argentina and Chile are on my bucket list and I will certainly be using this app when I visit! I highly recommend Free Spanish English Dictionary + to all iPhone and iPad users who wish to brush up on their Spanish or travel to a Spanish-speaking country.