This comprehensive dictionary contains over 6,000 single-character entries, including characters with variant tones. There are over 50,000 compound-character entries and over 70,000 compound words, set phrases and examples - all with Pinyin Romanization. Apart from everyday words and expressions, a number of common classical Chinese words, dialect words, four-character idioms, proverbs and common scientific expressions from both the natural and social sciences are included. The emphasis is on the use of modern Chinese, while modern English forms the basis of all English translations. Words and expressions have been defined clearly and precisely with practical examples. All entries are arranged according to Chinese Phonetic alphabetical order. A Chinese Phonetic Alphabet Index and Radical Index are located before the text of the dictionary for the convenience of the user. There are ten appendices, including a list of the original complex forms of Chinese characters and their simplified versions, the scheme for the Chinese phonetic alphabet, lists of countries, regions, capitals, currencies, weights and measures, chemical elements in Chinese and English and a brief Chinese chronology.