There are a number of German-English dictionaries on the market, but not all of them are created equal. In order to help you find the best one for your needs, we’ve prepared a short list of the five best German dictionaries available today.
These dictionaries offer proper translations of German words and phrases into English and have several other helpful features that make them perfect for anyone looking to learn or improve their German skills. So, whether you’re a beginning or advanced learner, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect dictionary for your needs here. Check them out:
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Oxford-Duden German-English Dictionary (Hardcover)
The Oxford-Duden German-English Dictionary is one of the best German dictionaries on the market. It was created in collaboration between the renowned dictionary publishers Oxford University Press and the Dudenverlag. It offers translations of words and phrases from German into English as well as German to English translations.
It is a hardcover dictionary that comes with over 500,000 entries and includes both current and historical vocabulary. It is also updated regularly, so if you get the newest edition, you can be sure about getting the most accurate translations possible.
Other features include detailed information on word usage, grammar notes, idiomatic expressions, usage guides, and more.
Who Is It For?
If you’re looking for a comprehensive dictionary that will help you improve your German skills, the Oxford-Duden German-English Dictionary is definitely worth considering.
It will be perfect for both beginners and advanced learners, but especially those who require professional translations, such as businesspeople, translators, and teachers.
Collins German Dictionary (Hardcover and Online)
The Collins German Dictionary is another great choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive and accurate dictionary. Created by the well-known dictionary publisher Collins, it’s one of the most known and used dictionaries on the market, and for a good reason.
Offering over 500,000 entries, it provides detailed translations of German words and phrases into English and the other way round. And, what’s best: it’s available as both a hardcover, for the lovers of good old paper books, and online, for those who prefer to learn a new language on the go.
The hardcover version comes with a number of extra features such as grammar notes, idiomatic expressions, and usage guides, which will help you improve your German language skills even further.
But, in our opinion, the online version of the dictionary is a bit more interesting – apart from offering all the same features as above, it has some other helpful bonuses. These include a Word of the Day page, different word games (eg. Hangman), as well as the possibility to add new words to your Favorites and check your search history.
Who Is It For?
The Collins German Dictionary is perfect for anyone who wants a reliable and comprehensive dictionary. However, it will be especially useful for beginners and intermediate learners who want to improve their language skills.
Moreover, we believe that the online version is better suited for those who are looking for a more interactive learning experience and want to add a bit of fun to their language journey.
Cambridge Klett Comprehensive German Dictionary (Hardcover)
The Cambridge Klett Comprehensive German Dictionary is yet another excellent choice for anyone in need of a good dictionary in the German language.
It offers over 350,000 entries with detailed translations of German into English (and vice versa). In addition, it provides grammar notes that will help you improve your language skills.
What makes this dictionary stand out from the others on our list is its filling. Today, it’s probably the most comprehensive dictionary for German out there, covering all types of language from the everyday to specialized vocabulary (for example, business German), as well as thousands of new words from the web and pop culture.
Who Is It For?
The Cambridge Klett Comprehensive German Dictionary is perfect for anyone who wants a reliable and comprehensive dictionary.
However, it will be especially useful for beginners and intermediate learners who want to really boost their vocabulary as well as for professionals working with or in the German language.
Linguee (Online)
Linguee is a bit different from all the other dictionaries on our list – it’s not your regular German-English dictionary. Instead, it’s more of a translator that uses real-life example sentences to provide you with accurate translations.
So, instead of just giving you the definition of a word, Linguee will also show you how this word is actually used in real life. This way, you can be sure that you’re understanding the meaning correctly and using the word or its translation in the right context.
In addition, Linguee offers a number of other features that make it really stand out from the rest. These include the possibility to hear the words and main examples out loud, check Wikipedia definitions for some entries, translate text and files, and even see alternative translations in DeepL (probably the best contextual translator out there).
Who Is It For?
Linguee is perfect for anyone who wants to be absolutely sure about the meaning of a word and how to use it in real life. Moreover, we believe that it’s absolutely irreplaceable for those who are looking for an interactive and fun way to learn a new language.
Reverso Context (Online)
Reverso Context is another excellent contextual translator that offers real-life examples for words and phrases in both German and English. In addition, it provides examples from reliable sources such as books, tv shows, and news articles, which makes it even more trustworthy. When it comes to casual, informal contexts, this is our go-to when checking usage of a word of phrase.
Just like Linguee, Reverso Context also shows you different translations for a word or phrase depending on the context in which it’s used. Nevertheless, like many other online translators, it doesn’t handle idioms well, so stay on the lookout with them.
Who Is It For?
Reverso Context is perfect for anyone who wants to find accurate and reliable translations of German words and expressions into English.
It will be especially useful for those who want to learn more about the language and how it’s used in real life, especially in more casual situations.
Bottom Line
German dictionaries can be a great asset for anyone looking to learn or improve their German skills. All of the dictionaries on our list are reliable and comprehensive, offering translations of German into English (and vice versa) – but of course, depending on your needs, some of these will fit you better than the others.
Even if none of these seem to suit your needs, don’t feel too distressed. This is just a glimpse into the world of German dictionaries, and there are many more on the market. So, whichever word or phrase you need translated, don’t stop looking – in the end, you will find your perfect German dictionary.
