If you use Firefox Rikaichan is an option (Note, I’m not sure if it’s compatible with the latest version; haven’t upgraded in forever). Chrome has a version named rikaikun is also an option. Also, install an IME so that you can type in the language, I would personally recommend google IME because it’s much more comprehensive than the default microsoft one. You can use this to check words if you think you know how they’re pronounced, typing it out in a text field and rikaiing it if you want a super quick reference on the computer.
For getting faster at dictionary lookup, memorize the basic radicals and understand how the strokes are done. You can use Heisig to do this (Be warned, while Heisig advertises itself as a kanji learning tool, it doesn’t actually teach you anything you would want to know, such as proper usage, pronunciation, nuance and cultural context) or you can work through Kanjidamage (WARNING: PERHAPS, MAYBE, CONTAINS MANY PENIS JOKES USE WITH CAUTION ).
I have a recommendation for works you could read and which are compatible with all the tools I have outlined so far but have a preference against revealing it. PM me if you want to know.
Both are completely in Japanese, although the dictionary has both E-J and J-J options (英和 and 和英 radio buttons).
Unfortunately I have no answer to the Chinese question, or rather, the answer is “grow up in China and then let your reading and writing atrophy because you like English better.” There’s a dictionary http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php but otherwise I’m at a loss at what else would help.
If you use Firefox Rikaichan is an option (Note, I’m not sure if it’s compatible with the latest version; haven’t upgraded in forever). Chrome has a version named rikaikun is also an option. Also, install an IME so that you can type in the language, I would personally recommend google IME because it’s much more comprehensive than the default microsoft one. You can use this to check words if you think you know how they’re pronounced, typing it out in a text field and rikaiing it if you want a super quick reference on the computer.
For getting faster at dictionary lookup, memorize the basic radicals and understand how the strokes are done. You can use Heisig to do this (Be warned, while Heisig advertises itself as a kanji learning tool, it doesn’t actually teach you anything you would want to know, such as proper usage, pronunciation, nuance and cultural context) or you can work through Kanjidamage (WARNING: PERHAPS, MAYBE, CONTAINS MANY PENIS JOKES USE WITH CAUTION ).
I have a recommendation for works you could read and which are compatible with all the tools I have outlined so far but have a preference against revealing it. PM me if you want to know.
Other helpful resources: A dictionary
Phrase lookups
Both are completely in Japanese, although the dictionary has both E-J and J-J options (英和 and 和英 radio buttons).
Unfortunately I have no answer to the Chinese question, or rather, the answer is “grow up in China and then let your reading and writing atrophy because you like English better.” There’s a dictionary http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php but otherwise I’m at a loss at what else would help.