Hi everyone,

I hope you've had a great week of learning languages and coding! As someone learning Swedish myself, I know how tough it can be—especially if you're shy like me and feel awkward speaking with native speakers. Reading news articles? Even harder, with all the unfamiliar words.

That’s exactly why I built Ordböcker: an all-in-one dictionary app to make Swedish learning easier and less intimidating.

With Ordböcker, you can instantly look up any word on a webpage—just double-click it. You’ll get definitions from multiple trusted sources with one click on the icon. Vocabulary is the biggest challenge when reading Swedish news—that’s exactly what Ordböcker helps with.

For example, my wife, who’s an intermediate learner, prefers svenska.se for Swedish–Swedish definitions. I’m still a beginner, so I stick with Glosbe.

Here are some dictionaries I find helpful and set as default, but you can suggest more:
Beginner-friendly:
Glosbe (Swedish–English)
Reverso (context examples)
Captionz (YouTube examples)
Intermediate:
Svenska.se (SAOL, SO, SAOB—all in one)

Ordböcker also lets you export your word history to Anki flashcards with just one click—super handy if you’re serious about remembering what you’ve learned.

If you haven’t tried Anki yet, it’s a fantastic app that helps you review words over time using spaced repetition (a fancy way of saying it reminds you just before you’re about to forget).

Honestly, Anki is my secret weapon for learning languages. I owe half my Swedish vocabulary to it—and now with Ordböcker, adding new words takes less effort.

Swedish verbs change differently, so I also wanted it to find the root form of words—not all dictionary tools can do that. Certainly Dictionariez is more focused on English, and don’t really prioritize Swedish. For example, when I look up the word fart, I want the Swedish meaning to show up first in Ordböcker.

If you’re already using Dictionariez and mainly learning Swedish through English, I recommend switching to Ordböcker. It offers most of the same features but prioritizes Swedish over English.

My tip? Don’t take on too many new words at once—stay motivated, not overwhelmed.
Focus on words you actually see and hear often. It’s more useful to really know 10 common words than to half-remember 100 rare ones.

When you add words to Anki, keep the cards simple. Just the word, a short definition, maybe an example sentence. If a card feels like homework, you’ll end up skipping it.

Try to review a little bit every day. Even 5–10 minutes of Anki goes a long way—consistency really is the secret.

And remember, you don’t have to understand everything right away. Getting the general idea is already a win!

If you try out Ordböcker, I’d love to hear what you think. Got suggestions, ideas, or something that’s not working? Your feedback helps me make it better for everyone learning Swedish!

Download links

• Ordböcker on Chrome
• Ordböcker on Microsoft Edge
• Ordböcker on Firefox

Awesome, thanks for the dict.
Are you learning Swedish? Any chance you are using Ordböcker?

@eu-Y
Hey, thanks for the awesome dict! I tweaked the code a bit to get it running. Just a quick note—you forgot to add the triple backticks (```) around the code. In Markdown, those are used to format code blocks so everything shows up nicely and hence Dictionariez would recogonize it as code block.

You should be able to see the edit history of your post to see what I have changed
Happy coding!

Hi everyone! If you’ve been using Dictionariez, you probably know that I’ve been working on this project as a solo developer for quite some time now. Over the years, one of the most requested features has been PDF support. Many of you have reached out, asking for a way to use Dictionariez with PDFs—whether for reading eBooks, studying papers, or reviewing work documents.

I’m excited to share that the wait is finally over! I’ve built a PDF Reader Web Application that works seamlessly with Dictionariez. It’s lightweight, secure, and designed to make your reading experience as smooth as possible. And for language learners, this is a productive tool—especially if you’re studying books, academic papers, or other materials in PDF format.

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What’s New?

Here’s what the new PDF Reader Web Application brings to the table:

1. Dictionariez Integration
   Highlight words or phrases in your PDF and instantly look them up or translate them using Dictionariez. It works just like it does on web pages.

2. Drag-and-Drop Simplicity
   You can drag and drop your PDF files into the app, and they’ll load instantly. No extra steps, no hassle.

3. Privacy First
   Your files never leave your browser. Everything is processed locally, so you don’t have to worry about your data being uploaded to a server.

4. Integration with PNL Reader
   If you’re already using PNL Reader, my browser extension that enhances the reading experience on any webpage, you’ll love this integration. When you open a PDF directly in your browser, you can click on the PNL Reader extension, and it will automatically redirect the PDF to the PDF Reader Web Application. This makes opening PDFs locally a more seamless experience.

5. Responsive Design
   Whether you’re on a desktop, tablet, or phone, the app adapts to give you the best experience.

6. Advanced PDF Viewer
   Powered by ngx-extended-pdf-viewer and PDF.js, the app supports zooming, text selection, and even searching within your PDFs.

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Why This is Perfect for Language Learners

If you’re learning a new language, reading is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. But let’s face it—reading in a foreign language can be tough, especially when you’re constantly looking up words. That’s where this new feature shines.

Here’s why the PDF Reader Web Application is especially helpful for language learners:

1. Study Authentic Materials
   Many language learners rely on textbooks or graded readers, but real-world materials like novels, academic papers, or even manuals are often in PDF format. Now, you can read these materials while using Dictionariez to look up unfamiliar words instantly.

2. Build Vocabulary Faster
   Highlighting and translating words directly in the PDF saves time and keeps you focused. You can even create flashcards or notes from the words you look up.

3. Learn in Context
   Seeing words in their natural context (like in a book or article) helps you understand how they’re used in sentences, making it easier to remember them.

4. Perfect for Students
   If you’re a student studying in a foreign language, you probably deal with a lot of PDFs—textbooks, research papers, lecture notes, and more. This tool makes it easier to navigate those materials without constantly switching between apps.

5. Immersive Learning
   By reading full texts in your target language, you’re immersing yourself in the language, which is one of the most effective ways to learn.

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Language Learning Tips for Using the PDF Reader

Here are a few tips to get the most out of the PDF Reader Web Application as a language learner:

1. Start with Materials at Your Level
   Choose PDFs that are slightly above your current level. This way, you’ll encounter new words without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Create a Vocabulary List
   Use Dictionariez to look up unfamiliar words and write them down in a notebook or app. Review them regularly to reinforce your learning.

3. Focus on Context
   Instead of translating every word, try to understand the meaning of sentences based on context. Use Dictionariez only for words or phrases that are critical to understanding the text.

4. Revisit Texts
   After reading a PDF once, come back to it later. You’ll be surprised at how much more you understand the second time around.

5. Combine with Other Tools
   Use the words you’ve learned in flashcard apps like Anki to reinforce your memory.

6. Set Goals
   For example, aim to read one chapter of a book or one article per week. Setting small, achievable goals will keep you motivated.

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How It Works

Using the PDF Reader Web Application is super straightforward:

1. Upload Your PDF
   Drag and drop your file into the app, or click to select it from your device.

2. Start Reading
   The PDF loads instantly, and you can scroll, zoom, and search through it.

3. Use Dictionariez
   Highlight any word or phrase in the PDF to look it up or translate it, just like you would on a webpage.

4. Redirect PDFs with PNL Reader
   If you open a PDF directly in your browser, just click on the PNL Reader extension, and it will redirect the PDF to the PDF Reader Web Application. No need to download the file or manually open the app—it’s all handled seamlessly.

5. Stay Secure
   All file processing happens locally in your browser. Your data stays with you—always.

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Why It Took Time

As a solo developer, I’ve always tried to prioritize features that matter most to you, the users. Adding PDF support wasn’t just about displaying files—it was about making sure the experience was smooth, secure, and worked seamlessly with Dictionariez and PNL Reader.

I wanted to get it right, and that meant taking the time to ensure:

• Privacy: No file uploads, no servers—just local processing in your browser.
• Performance: Fast and responsive, even with large PDF files.
• Integration: A seamless experience with Dictionariez and PNL Reader, so you can use the tools you love without interruption.

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What’s Next?

This is just the beginning! Here are a few features I’m planning to add in the future:

• Annotations: Highlight text, add notes, and mark up your PDFs.
• Bookmarks: Save your place in long documents for easy navigation.
• Dark Mode: A more comfortable reading experience for night-time use.

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Try It Out

The PDF Reader Web Application is live and ready for you to use. Click here to check it out! Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who loves reading, this tool is here to make your life easier.

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Wrapping Up

As a solo developer, every feature I build is a labor of love, and this one is no exception. I’ve poured a lot of time and effort into making PDF support a reality because I know how much it means to so many of you.

If you’ve been waiting for this feature, give it a try and let me know what you think! Your feedback is what keeps me going, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I can make it even better.

Thank you for supporting Dictionariez and for being part of this journey. I’m excited to see how you’ll use the new PDF feature!

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Spread the Word

If you love the new PDF feature, share it with your friends and colleagues. Every bit of support helps me continue improving Dictionariez for all of you.

@shshgh

Cool dict. I tried my best to make it work on Dictionariez. Take a look.

@dyess002

Great news! The PDF reader for Dictionariez is finally here — go check it out!

https://pnlpal.dev/pdf-reader

@dyess002

I am making it, stay tuned.

@Oleg-Lapchynskyi
I couldn't reproduce the issue. Every time I looked up a word, it was added to my history list. Have you tried deleting some of the history? Chrome allocates very limited memory for each extension, so the history might just be too long.

v1.2.0 Apr 09, 2025

• Cleared the webpage's head section when the reader is enabled to prevent original styles from interfering.
• Fixed an issue where exiting reader mode failed if the background script was inactive.
• Ensured the page always reloads upon exiting reader mode for consistent behavior.

@Myst1cX

Glad you like it. If you have any issues while using it, please let me know.

v1.1.0 is out!
Most fonts now support Cyrillic, Greek, and some even include Indian scripts.
I also added a print button for easier and better-looking printing.

@Oleg-Lapchynskyi

v1.1.1 is out! Thank you for your suggestions. Most fonts now support Cyrillic.

@Oleg-Lapchynskyi

That's a good suggestion. Also CJK (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) fonts would take into consideration as well.
Stay tuned, v1.1.1 will be out soon.

v1.1.0 is out. Hopefully PNL Reader is full-fledged

• Introduced font type customization for enhanced readability.
• Added line spacing and line width adjustment options.
• Enabled justified text alignment for a cleaner look.
• Expanded theme library with additional handwriting and monospace styles.
• Implemented global settings configuration for streamlined customization.
• Enhanced mobile support for a better user experience.
  

@Oleg-Lapchynskyi

Hi! Have you checked out the new v1.1.0 update? I’ve added all the options you requested, including the "Source Serif" font.
What's more, here’s the new features in v1.1.0:

1. Font customization for better readability.
2. Adjustable line spacing and width.
3. Justified text alignment for a cleaner look.
4. More themes, including handwriting and monospace styles.
5. Global settings for easier customization.
6. Improved mobile support for a smoother experience.

@HvK_nl
Hi, thank you for the feedback. I added a few Dutch dictionaries here: https://pnlpal.dev/tags/dutch
Check them out.

{
        "dictName": "Glosbe Dutch-English", 
        "windowUrl": "https://glosbe.com/nl/en/<word>",
        "css": ".font-medium.cursor-pointer{ font-size:19px; } #search-container { display:none; } "
}

{
     "dictName": "Linguee Dutch-English",
     "windowUrl": "https://www.linguee.com/english-dutch/search?source=auto&query=<word>",
     "css": ".dictLink.featured { font-size: 18px;} #outer_div {min-width: 0 !important;} #mainlayout {padding-left: 0 !important; padding-right: 0 !important;} .lMainNavbar { display:none !important; }"
}

{
      "dictName": "Youglish for Dutch",
      "windowUrl": "https://youglish.com/pronounce/<word>/dutch",
      "css": "header,#miniheader {display: none !important;} body {margin-top: 50px !important;}"
    }

The Swedish synonymer dict: https://pnlpal.dev/topic/953/synonymer