Feature Request & Feedback | Improved Handling of [Custom] Definitions in Reviews

I wanted to share a small suggestion about how custom definitions work during reviews.

Right now, the review system handles certain formatting in pre-written definitions really nicely. For example:

  • (Dictionary items only) If a definition includes semicolons, like “to eat; to dine”, the system accepts either part (“to eat” or “to dine”) as correct.
  • (Might also be Dictionary-item-specific) If a definition includes parentheses, like “to lie (down)”, the system accepts “to lie” as correct.

However, when I add my own custom definitions, these same flexible rules don’t seem to apply. If I include semicolons or parentheses in my own definitions, I need to type the entry almost exactly as written for it to be accepted. It would be great if custom definitions could follow the same rules as the built-in ones, whether or not the custom definitions are for Dictionary items or HanziHero-original items.

Additionally, it would be helpful if the system could ignore a leading “to” in definitions during review. Many verbs already include both “to” and “” versions in the pre-written definitions, but for those that don’t, small differences like that can lead to unnecessary mismatches.

These are minor quality-of-life suggestions, but they’d make the review experience a bit smoother and more consistent.

Example:

If I wanted to add a definition that was like

“to dine (alone)”

It’d be easier to type it once with rules that would basically accept:

  • to dine
  • dine
  • dine alone
  • to dine alone

Without having to type in four custom definitions.