Change iPhone dictionary/definition language?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Change iPhone dictionary/definition language?

I just switched my iPhone's language setting from English (US) to French in the hopes that I could read French news articles, and use the iPhone's "define" feature. Unfortunately, changing the phone's language does not change whatever dictionary that the "define" feature uses. I still can only get definitions of English words.

Am I missing an option somewhere? How can I get the iPhone to define words in other languages? I've changed both the language setting, and the regin format setting to French to no avail.

Thanks!

Posted on Dec 23, 2011 3:18 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 28, 2017 8:48 AM in response to Bunkgirl14

I had a similar problem, with the 'Look Up' function giving me definitions in Japanese. I tinkered a bit and was successful in fixing it.

Try:

Settings>General>Dictionary

It will show a bunch of dictionaries in different languages. Click English and download it. You can also download other languages.

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Answer 2

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 23, 2011 3:21 PM in response to Paddy McGee

Dictionary follow the keyboard: Settings>General>International>Keyboards>Add New Keyboard...

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Answer 3

Paddy McGee Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 23, 2011 3:24 PM in response to Paddy McGee

@wjosten: I forgot to include that in my original post: I have French and English (US) keyboards. French is the default. Thus, my original question still stands. Thanks for your post, though!

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Answer 4

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 23, 2011 3:35 PM in response to Paddy McGee

Reset your phone, because that's the way it works: Dictionary follows the Keyboard.

Press the sleep/wake button & home button at the same time, keep pressing until you see the Apple logo, then release. Any change?

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Answer 5

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,940 points

Dec 23, 2011 4:23 PM in response to Paddy McGee

Paddy McGee wrote:

How can I get the iPhone to define words in other languages?

You can't. The reference dictionary included in iOS only covers English and Japanese, and there is no way for users to add other modules yet. Tell Apple you want more here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

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Answer 6

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,940 points

Dec 23, 2011 4:24 PM in response to wjosten

wjosten wrote:

Dictionary follow the keyboard

That is for spell checking, not for defining words.

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Answer 7

Jan 8, 2013 4:35 AM in response to wjosten

Hello there, i have similar problems regarding my built-in dictionary, i try it twice and it gave the definition in japanese and how can i change it give definition in English ?? Sorry :)

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