Dictionaries and word lookup

A dictionary turns an unfamiliar word into something you can check without leaving your book or video. Set it up before your first reading or watching session.

Set up your dictionary

Choose a compatible dictionary ZIP and import it in the Manatan app. The illustrated dictionary guide walks through the current iPhone interface, including importing JMdict and testing a lookup.

Keep the dictionary in its supported ZIP format. Download dictionary files from a source you trust and follow the publisher’s license. Manatan does not make every dictionary available for redistribution.

Test a word before a full session

Open a short passage, look up a word, and confirm that a dictionary entry appears. If no entry appears, check that the dictionary import finished and that lookup is enabled for the reader you are using.

The interaction depends on the content:

• EPUB text: use the reader’s popup lookup. See the EPUB walkthrough.
• Manga images: OCR recognizes text before lookup. See the manga and OCR walkthrough.
• Video subtitles: use a matching subtitle track and look up text from it. See the subtitle workflow.

An image is not selectable text; OCR and ordinary text lookup are different paths. A missing subtitle track cannot be fixed by importing another dictionary.

Keep a useful word

You can save a useful lookup for Manatan Flashcards. If you already review in desktop Anki, use the separate AnkiConnect setup.

If lookup is not working

Try one short word in a simple passage first. Record the app version, platform, reader, dictionary, and what happens when you attempt the lookup. Use Troubleshooting before resetting or removing app data.