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.

What’s New?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

How It Works

Using the PDF Reader Web Application is super straightforward:

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

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

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

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.

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

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. 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. 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.

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!

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.

I recently took a detour to develop an intriguing tool for Chrome's side panel, which is an impressive new feature in Chrome that I believe many people will find it quite useful. In some cases, it could even be more straightforward and convenient compared to Dictionariez, which uses a popup window to display results. SidePal is designed to work seamlessly within the side panel, showing dictionaries that integrate perfectly with this feature.

Here is how it looks.

image1

It's works well with Google Translate too.
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Isn't it handy to have ChatGPT on the sideline ready to answer any questions from you?
image 3

Unfortunately, not all web dictionaries work in the side panel because they need to be embedded in an iframe, and some websites don't allow this. For example, my favorite dictionary, Longman English, doesn’t support iframe embedding.

You can still try adding more dictionaries to your collection from this site, just as you would with Dictionariez. If you receive a warning that the dictionary couldn’t be loaded, it means it’s not supported on SidePal, so I recommend using Dictionariez instead.

In this sense, SidePal is a lighter version of Dictionariez. It has its own advantages and can be used alongside Dictionariez. I hope you find it useful.