/jp/ - Otaku Culture

This will be controversial but it works. I’ve seen for myself.

1. Read and listen to a lot of stuff that has some words you don’t know yet.
2. Look up each word you want to learn, and mentally pinpoint which definition best matches the context you saw the word in. Only choose one. This is your “tag”.
3. Add those words to an SRS of your choosing, whichever makes it easiest to input word+reading+definition quickly.
3. When you do your reviews, only actively try to memorize the reading. Get the reading down pat. Say it to yourself a few times. Be able to recall it. Even write it if you want.
4. For the definition, the only thing you have to do is recognize the one definition that matched the context you saw the word in, the tag. Then upon that recognition of your tag, say the word’s reading again. This part is critical. DO NOT ACTIVELY TRY TO RECALL THE DEFINITION before flipping over the card. Just make sure you are able to recall the reading, flip over the card, recognize your tag, and acknowledge that recognition by saying the reading of the Japanese word again to build that mental link.

At some point (it might be sooner than you think) you’ll start to look at the word, recall the reading, and the definition will naturally pop into your head without flipping the card over yet. That’s the effortless part. You cement the reading, make the meaning association by repeated recognition only, and your subconscious does the rest. The next time you see the word in a similar context, the reading will be solid, and the definition you repeatedly recognized during reviews, will pop out at you.

More reviews, less time, less effort, more gains! And more time for reading.

Thank me later, pups.