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dictforge

Forge Kindle-ready dictionaries for every language

Quick start

Install the utility

dictforge --kindlegen-path "/Applications/Kindle Previewer 3.app/Contents/lib/fc/bin/kindlegen" sr en
  • On the first run, dictforge downloads the Wiktionary dump (~20 GB compressed); subsequent runs reuse it.
  • The example command builds a Serbo-Croatian → English dictionary in the build/ folder.
  • Copy the generated MOBI file to Documents/Dictionaries/ on your Kindle, or to Documents/ if Dictionaries is missing.
  • While reading, long-press a word to reveal the dictionary. Because Kindle does not support some languages, such as Serbian, you may need to select the dictionary manually the first time via Dictionary → Select new dictionary.

Kindle language workarounds

Kindle links a dictionary automatically based on the language stored in the ebook metadata.

Unfortunately the reader supports only a narrow list of languages for dictionaries – see Amazon’s supported Kindle language list.

Pick any (otherwise unused) supported language both in the --kindle-lang option and, preferably, in the book metadata; the dictionary will then attach automatically.

If you use Calibre, set that language before converting the book to MOBI.