3-Minute Quick Start

Ready? Let’s do your first DevGlish lookup. It only takes 3 minutes.

Step 1: Select an English Word

Open any app — Xcode, VS Code, Slack, Chrome, or Mail all work. Select an English word or phrase.

Example: Select the word asynchronous

Tip

In a code editor, you can double-click a word to quickly select it; in a webpage or chat, drag your mouse to select.

Step 2: Press the Global Hotkey

Press Command+Shift+D.

DevGlish will instantly display a learning card overlaying your current window. No need to open a new app or tab.

Step 3: Read the Learning Card

The learning card contains the following information (using asynchronous as an example):

IPA Pronunciation

The top of the card shows the standard English pronunciation:

/ˌeɪ.sɪŋk.ˈkrɒn.əs/

This is the standard American English pronunciation. Stress markers are also shown to help you understand emphasis placement.

Definition & Translation

An accurate definition (bilingual) and the specific meaning in a technical context. For example:

• Definition: Not dependent on a specific time sequence; can occur or complete at different times
• Technical usage: In programming, refers to code execution that does not block subsequent code (async/await)

Usage Examples

3-5 real code or text examples showing how the word is used:

"The fetch() function returns a Promise, making it asynchronous."
"We use async/await to handle asynchronous operations."

Synonyms & Related Words

Lists similar or related words (e.g., concurrent, non-blocking). You can click a synonym for a chained lookup — quickly dive deep into word families.

Collocations & Phrases

Common collocations that help you understand how this word combines with others:

• asynchronous code
• asynchronous programming
• handle asynchronously

Idiomatic Expression Tips

This is a unique DevGlish feature. It highlights:

• Common non-native patterns — mistakes you might make
• Idiomatic English expressions — how to say it naturally in the international developer community
• Pronunciation traps — common pronunciation errors for speakers of your native language

For example:

Chinese-speaking developers often say “a-sin-cruh-nus” (syllable-by-syllable), but standard English stress should be on the middle “KRON”: /ˌeɪ.sɪŋk.ˈkrɒn.əs/

Step 4: Click the Speaker Button to Hear Pronunciation

The learning card has a speaker icon. Click it to hear:

• Standard English pronunciation (generated by Google Cloud TTS)
• Precise intonation and pauses

Tip

You can click the button multiple times to replay until you can accurately imitate the pronunciation.

Step 5: Click the Save Button to Add to Word Book

If this word is important to you, click the save button (usually a pin or bookmark icon).

The word will be saved to your personal Word Book, synced with your account. Later you can:

• View your saved word list in DevGlish
• Review this word through spaced repetition
• See statistics on your learning progress

Advanced Tips

Looking Up Phrases and Sentences

DevGlish supports more than single words. Try selecting a phrase or an entire sentence:

Phrase example: idempotent operation (up to 3 words) Sentence example: The API call should be idempotent and stateless.

DevGlish automatically detects the type of your selection (Word / Phrase / Sentence) and adjusts the learning card format accordingly.

Using Express Mode (Native Language to English)

Besides looking up English words, you can also:

1. Select Chinese text (e.g., “how do I express this idea in English”)
2. Press Command+Shift+D
3. DevGlish enters Express Mode, helping you generate accurate English expressions

This is especially useful when writing PR comments or code review feedback.

Chained Synonym Lookups

See a synonym (e.g., concurrent) and want to learn more? Click the synonym, and DevGlish will immediately look up the new word without pressing the hotkey again. This lets you quickly build your vocabulary network.

FAQ

Q: My selected text wasn’t recognized? A: Make sure DevGlish is enabled in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. See Installation & Initial Setup.

Q: The learning card has too much information. What should I focus on? A: Start with the IPA pronunciation and usage examples. As you use DevGlish more, you’ll naturally make use of the other information (synonyms, collocations, idiomatic expressions).

Q: Where are saved words stored? A: Saved words are stored in your personal account and synced via the Cloudflare cloud. You can access them on any Mac where you’re signed into DevGlish.

Next Steps

You’ve completed your first lookup! Here’s what to do next:

1. Explore different query types — try looking up phrases, sentences, and even native-language expressions
2. Build a learning habit — use DevGlish to quickly look up unfamiliar technical terms or expressions whenever you encounter them
3. Choose the right plan — learn about the differences between Free, Pro, and Team plans and pick the one that suits you best

Have questions? Check our General FAQ or contact [email protected].

Happy learning!