This book has proved extremely helpful to me as I try to pursue my goal of learning Japanese. I am studying in Kyoto Japan, and use this book everday in my studies. I find most of the examples very useful both in their content and application. Since the book is arranged in dictionary form, it is very easy to use. If you have not mastered the Japanes Hiragana, then I would do so before buying this book, because romaji has been eliminated. Since it is an intermediate level book, that is justified and useful in that it pulls the romaji crutch out, and forces you to concentrate on the characters.