307 lines
20 KiB
Markdown
307 lines
20 KiB
Markdown
# Yomichan #
|
|
|
|
Yomichan turns your web browser into a tool for building Japanese language literacy by helping you to decipher texts
|
|
which would be otherwise too difficult tackle. This extension is similar to
|
|
[Rikaichan](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/rikaichan/) for Firefox and
|
|
[Rikaikun](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rikaikun/jipdnfibhldikgcjhfnomkfpcebammhp?hl=en) for Chrome, but it
|
|
stands apart in its goal of being a all-encompassing learning tool as opposed to a mere browser-based dictionary.
|
|
|
|
Yomichan provides advanced features not available in other browser-based dictionaries:
|
|
|
|
* Interactive popup definition window for displaying search results.
|
|
* On-demand audio playback for select dictionary definitions.
|
|
* Kanji stroke order diagrams are just a click away for most characters.
|
|
* Custom search page for easily executing custom search queries.
|
|
* Support for multiple dictionary formats including [EPWING](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPWING) via
|
|
the [Yomichan Import](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan-import) tool.
|
|
* Automatic note creation for the [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/) flashcard program via
|
|
the [AnkiConnect](https://foosoft.net/projects/anki-connect) plugin.
|
|
* Clean, modern code makes it easy for developers to [contribute](https://github.com/FooSoft/yomichan) new features.
|
|
|
|
## Downloads ##
|
|
|
|
* **Google Chrome** (versions 45+)
|
|
|
|
[](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/yomichan/ogmnaimimemjmbakcfefmnahgdfhfami)
|
|
|
|
* **Mozilla Firefox** (versions 52+)
|
|
|
|
[](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/yomichan/)
|
|
|
|
All extension versions must be reviewed before they are publicly accessible on the Firefox Marketplace. As this
|
|
review process can take several months to complete, the approved version of the extension is often out of date. If
|
|
you are interested in using the latest and greatest version, please consider using the [locally hosted](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/latest.xpi) version instead.
|
|
|
|
## Dictionaries ##
|
|
|
|
There are three free Japanese dictionaries available for Yomichan, with two of them having versions with glossaries in
|
|
different languages. You must download and import the dictionaries you wish to use in order to enable Yomichan
|
|
definition lookups. If you have proprietary EPWING dictionaries that you would like to use, please see the [Yomichan
|
|
Import](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan-import) page to learn how to convert and import them into Yomichan.
|
|
|
|
* **[JMdict](http://www.edrdg.org/enamdict/enamdict_doc.html)** (Japanese vocabulary)
|
|
* [jmdict_dutch.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_dutch.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_english.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_english.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_french.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_french.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_german.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_german.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_hungarian.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_hungarian.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_italian.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_italian.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_russian.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_russian.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_slovenian.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_slovenian.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_spanish.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_spanish.zip)
|
|
* [jmdict_swedish.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmdict_swedish.zip)
|
|
* **[JMnedict](http://www.edrdg.org/enamdict/enamdict_doc.html)** (Japanese names)
|
|
* [jmnedict.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/jmnedict.zip)
|
|
* **[KANJIDIC](http://nihongo.monash.edu/kanjidic2/index.html)** (Japanese Kanji)
|
|
* [kanjidic_english.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/kanjidic_english.zip)
|
|
* [kanjidic_french.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/kanjidic_french.zip)
|
|
* [kanjidic_portuguese.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/kanjidic_portuguese.zip)
|
|
* [kanjidic_spanish.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/kanjidic_spanish.zip)
|
|
* **[KireiCake](https://kireicake.com/rikaicakes/)** (Japanese slang)
|
|
* [kireicake.zip](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/dl/dict/kireicake.zip)
|
|
|
|
## Basic Usage ##
|
|
|
|
1. Click on the  icon in the browser toolbar to open the Yomichan actions dialog.
|
|
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ui-actions.png)
|
|
|
|
2. Click on the *monkey wrench* icon in the middle to open the options page.
|
|
|
|
3. Import the dictionaries you wish to use for term and Kanji searches. If you do not have any dictionaries installed
|
|
(or enabled), Yomichan will warn you that it is not ready for use by displaying an orange exclamation mark over its
|
|
icon. This exclamation mark will disappear once you have installed and enabled at least one dictionary.
|
|
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ui-import.png)
|
|
|
|
4. Hold down the <kbd>Shift</kbd> key or the middle mouse button as you move your mouse over text to display a popup
|
|
window containing term definitions. This window will only be shown if definitions were found and it can be dismissed
|
|
by clicking anywhere outside of it.
|
|
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ui-terms.png)
|
|
|
|
5. Click on the  icon to hear the term pronounced by a native speaker. If an audio sample is
|
|
not available, you will hear a short click instead.
|
|
|
|
6. Click on individual Kanji in the term definition results to view additional information about those characters
|
|
including readings, meanings, and a stroke order diagram.
|
|
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ui-kanji.png)
|
|
|
|
## Custom Dictionaries ##
|
|
|
|
Yomichan supports the use of custom dictionaries including the esoteric but popular
|
|
[EPWING](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPWING) format. They were often utilized in portable electronic dictionaries
|
|
similar to the ones pictured below. These dictionaries are often sought after by language learners for their correctness
|
|
and excellent coverage of the Japanese language.
|
|
|
|
Unfortunately, as most of the dictionaries released in this format are proprietary I am unable to bundle them with
|
|
Yomichan. You will need to procure these dictionaries yourself and import them with [Yomichan
|
|
Import](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan-import). Please see the project page for additional details.
|
|
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/epwing-devices.jpg)
|
|
|
|
## Anki Integration ##
|
|
|
|
Yomichan features automatic flashcard creation for [Anki](http://ankisrs.net/), a free application designed to help you
|
|
retain knowledge. This feature requires the prior installation of an Anki plugin called [AnkiConnect](https://foosoft.net/projects/anki-connect).
|
|
Please see the respective project page for more information about how to set up this software.
|
|
|
|
### Flashcard Configuration ###
|
|
|
|
Before flashcards can be automatically created, you must configure the templates used to create term and/or Kanji notes.
|
|
If you are unfamiliar with Anki deck and model management, this would be a good time to reference the [Anki
|
|
Manual](http://ankisrs.net/docs/manual.html). In short, you must specify what information should be included in the
|
|
flashcards that Yomichan creates through AnkiConnect.
|
|
|
|
Flashcard fields can be configured with the following steps:
|
|
|
|
1. Open the Yomichan options page and scroll down to the section labeled *Anki Options*.
|
|
2. Tick the checkbox labeled *Enable Anki integration* (Anki must be running with [AnkiConnect](https://foosoft.net/projects/anki-connect) installed).
|
|
3. Select the type of template to configure by clicking on either the *Terms* or *Kanji* tabs.
|
|
4. Select the Anki deck and model to use for new creating new flashcards of this type.
|
|
5. Fill the model fields with markers corresponding to the information you wish to include (several can be used):
|
|
|
|
#### Markers for Term Cards ####
|
|
|
|
Marker | Description
|
|
-------|------------
|
|
`{audio}` | Audio sample of a native speaker's pronunciation in MP3 format (if available).
|
|
`{cloze-body}` | Raw, inflected term as it appeared before being reduced to dictionary form by Yomichan.
|
|
`{cloze-prefix}` | Text for the containing `{sentence}` from the start up to the value of `{cloze-body}`.
|
|
`{cloze-suffix}` | Text for the containing `{sentence}` from the value of `{cloze-body}` to the end.
|
|
`{dictionary}` | Name of the dictionary from which the card is being created (unavailable in *grouped* mode).
|
|
`{expression}` | Term expressed as Kanji (will be displayed in Kana if Kanji is not available).
|
|
`{furigana}` | Term expressed as Kanji with Furigana displayed above it (e.g. <ruby>日本語<rt>にほんご</rt></ruby>).
|
|
`{glossary}` | List of definitions for the term (output format depends on whether running in *grouped* mode).
|
|
`{reading}` | Kana reading for the term (empty for terms where the expression is the reading).
|
|
`{sentence}` | Sentence, quote, or phrase in which the term appears in the source content.
|
|
`{tags}` | Grammar and usage tags providing information about the term (unavailable in *grouped* mode).
|
|
`{url}` | Address of the web page in which the term appeared in.
|
|
|
|
#### Markers for Kanji Cards ####
|
|
|
|
Marker | Description
|
|
-------|------------
|
|
`{character}` | Unicode glyph representing the current Kanji.
|
|
`{cloze-body}` | Raw, inflected parent term as it appeared before being reduced to dictionary form by Yomichan.
|
|
`{cloze-prefix}` | Text for the containing `{sentence}` from the start up to the value of `{cloze-body}`.
|
|
`{cloze-suffix}` | Text for the containing `{sentence}` from the value of `{cloze-body}` to the end.
|
|
`{dictionary}` | Name of the dictionary from which the card is being created.
|
|
`{glossary}` | List of definitions for the Kanji.
|
|
`{kunyomi}` | Kunyomi (Japanese reading) for the Kanji expressed as Katakana.
|
|
`{onyomi}` | Onyomi (Chinese reading) for the Kanji expressed as Hiragana.
|
|
`{sentence}` | Sentence, quote, or phrase in which the character appears in the source content.
|
|
`{url}` | Address of the web page in which the Kanji appeared in.
|
|
|
|
When creating your model for Yomichan, *please make sure that you pick a unique field to be first*; fields that will
|
|
contain `{expression}` or `{character}` are ideal candidates. Anki does not require duplicate flashcards to be added to
|
|
a deck and uses the first field in the model to check for duplicates. If, for example, you have `{reading}` configured
|
|
to be the first field in your model and already have <ruby>橋<rt>はし</rt></ruby> in your deck, you will not be able to
|
|
create a flashcard for <ruby>箸<rt>はし</rt></ruby>, because they share the same reading.
|
|
|
|
### Flashcard Creation ###
|
|
|
|
Once Yomichan is configured, it becomes trivial to create new flashcards with a single click. You will see the following
|
|
icons next to term definitions.
|
|
|
|
* Clicking  adds the current expression as Kanji (e.g. 食べる).
|
|
* Clicking  adds the current expression as Hiragana or Katakana (e.g. たべる).
|
|
|
|
Below are some troubleshooting tips you can try if you are unable to create new flashcards:
|
|
|
|
* Individual icons will appear grayed out if a flashcard cannot be created for the current definition (e.g. it already exists in the deck).
|
|
* If all of the buttons appear grayed out then you should double-check your deck and model configuration settings.
|
|
* If no icons appear at all, please make sure that Anki is running in the background and that [AnkiConnect](https://foosoft.net/projects/anki-connect) has been installed.
|
|
|
|
## Keyboard Shortcuts ##
|
|
|
|
The following shortcuts are globally available:
|
|
|
|
Shortcut | Action
|
|
---------|-------
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Insert</kbd> | Open search page.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Delete</kbd> | Toggle extension on/off.
|
|
|
|
The following shortcuts are available on search results:
|
|
|
|
Shortcut | Action
|
|
---------|-------
|
|
<kbd>Esc</kbd> | Cancel current search
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>PgUp</kbd> | Page up through results.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>PgDn</kbd> | Page down through results.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>End</kbd> | Go to last result.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Home</kbd> | Go to first result.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Up</kbd> | Go to previous result.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Down</kbd> | Go to next result.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>b</kbd> | Go to back to source term.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>e</kbd> | Add current term as expression to Anki.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>r</kbd> | Add current term as reading to Anki.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>p</kbd> | Play audio for current term.
|
|
<kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>k</kbd> | Add current Kanji to Anki.
|
|
|
|
## Development ##
|
|
|
|
Working on Yomichan and related tools is very time consuming and I am always on the lookout for code contributions from
|
|
other developers who want to help out. I take pride in the high quality of the codebase and ask you to follow the
|
|
following basic guidelines when creating pull requests:
|
|
|
|
* Please discuss large features before writing code.
|
|
* Follow the conventions and style of the existing code.
|
|
* Write clean, modern ES6 code (`const`/`let`, promises, arrow functions, etc.)
|
|
* Large pull requests without a clear scope will not be merged.
|
|
* Incomplete or non-standalone features will not be merged.
|
|
|
|
### Templates ###
|
|
|
|
Yomichan uses [Handlebars](http://handlebarsjs.com/) templates for user interface and Anki note formatting. The source
|
|
templates are found in the `tmpl` directory and the compiled version is stored in the `ext/bg/js/templates.js` file. If
|
|
you modify the source templates, you will need to also recompile them. If you are developing on Linux or Mac OS X, you
|
|
can use the included `build_tmpl.sh` and `build_tmpl_auto.sh` (requires
|
|
[inotify-tools](https://github.com/rvoicilas/inotify-tools/wiki)) shell scripts to do this for you. Otherwise, simply
|
|
execute `handlebars tmpl/*.html -f ext/bg/js/templates.js` from the project's base directory.
|
|
|
|
### Dependencies ###
|
|
|
|
Yomichan relies on several third-party libraries to function. The following are links to homepages and snapshots of the
|
|
exact versions used for distribution.
|
|
|
|
* Bootstrap Toggle: [homepage](http://www.bootstraptoggle.com/) - [snapshot](https://github.com/minhur/bootstrap-toggle/archive/b76c094.zip)
|
|
* Bootstrap: [homepage](http://getbootstrap.com/) - [snapshot](https://github.com/twbs/bootstrap/releases/download/v3.3.7/bootstrap-3.3.7-dist.zip)
|
|
* Dexie: [homepage](http://dexie.org/) - [snapshot](https://github.com/dfahlander/Dexie.js/archive/v2.0.0-beta.10.zip)
|
|
* Handlebars: [homepage](http://handlebarsjs.com/) - [snapshot](http://builds.handlebarsjs.com.s3.amazonaws.com/handlebars.min-714a4c4.js)
|
|
* JQuery: [homepage](https://blog.jquery.com/) - [snapshot](https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.2.1.min.js)
|
|
* JSZip: [homepage](http://stuk.github.io/jszip/) - [snapshot](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Stuk/jszip/de7f52fbcba485737bef7923a83f0fad92d9f5bc/dist/jszip.min.js)
|
|
* WanaKana: [homepage](http://wanakana.com/) - [snapshot](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/WaniKani/WanaKana/7c4a052/gh-pages/assets/js/wanakana.min.js)
|
|
|
|
## Frequently Asked Questions ##
|
|
|
|
* **Will you add support for online dictionaries?**
|
|
|
|
Online dictionaries will never be implemented because it is impossible to support them in a robust way. In order to
|
|
perform Japanese deinflection, Yomichan must execute dozens of database queries per every single word. Factoring in
|
|
network latency and the fragility of web scraping, I do not believe that it is possible to realize a good user
|
|
experience.
|
|
|
|
* **What happened to AnkiWeb integration? Why was it removed?**
|
|
|
|
The author of Anki wants to maintain tight control of AnkiWeb by restricting automated web requests, while at the
|
|
same time not providing an API for adding or removing flash cards. As circumventing these limitations led to account
|
|
restrictions placed on users of this extension, I was forced to remove this feature. Note that it is still possible
|
|
to automatically generate flashcards with the [AnkiConnect](https://foosoft.net/projects/anki-connect) plugin.
|
|
|
|
* **Is it possible to use Yomichan with files saved locally on my computer?**
|
|
|
|
It in order to be able use Yomichan with local files in Chrome, you must first tick the *Allow access to file URLs*
|
|
checkbox for Yomichan on the Chrome extensions page. Due to restrictions placed on browser extensions by Chrome, it
|
|
will likely never be possible to use Yomichan with PDF files.
|
|
|
|
* **Is it possible to delete individual dictionaries without resetting the database?**
|
|
|
|
Although it is technically possible to purge specific dictionaries, due to the limitations of the underlying
|
|
database system, this process is *extremely* slow. For example, it can take up to ten minutes to delete a term
|
|
dictionary of moderate size! Instead of including a borderline unusable feature in Yomichan, I disabled dictionary
|
|
deletion entirely.
|
|
|
|
* **Why doesn't Yomichan work after being removed and reinstalled on Firefox?**
|
|
|
|
Uninstalling Yomichan on Firefox may sometimes leave the dictionary database in an undefined state. Although most of
|
|
the data has been deleted, the metadata describing it appears unchanged. This can make it look like you have
|
|
dictionaries installed when you actually do not. Purge the database and reimport your dictionaries to fix this
|
|
problem.
|
|
|
|
* **Why aren't EPWING dictionaries bundled with Yomichan?**
|
|
|
|
The vast majority of EPWING dictionaries are proprietary, so unfortunately I am unable to legally include them in
|
|
this extension for copyright reasons.
|
|
|
|
* **When are you going to add support for $MYLANGUAGE?**
|
|
|
|
Developing Yomichan required a significant understanding of Japanese sentence structure and grammar. I presently
|
|
have no time to invest in learning yet another language; therefore other languages will not be supported. I will
|
|
also not be accepting pull request containing this functionality, as I will ultimately be the one maintaining your
|
|
code.
|
|
|
|
## Screenshots ##
|
|
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ss-terms.png)
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ss-kanji.png)
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ss-dictionaries.png)
|
|
[](https://foosoft.net/projects/yomichan/img/ss-anki.png)
|
|
|
|
## License ##
|
|
|
|
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
|
|
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
|
|
the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
|
|
(at your option) any later version.
|
|
|
|
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
|
|
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
|
|
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
|
|
GNU General Public License for more details.
|
|
|
|
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
|
|
along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
|
|
|