Tips to help you remember vocabulary and expressions

[mikuji]

I have a couple of tips I would like to share - it may help some of you.

1) When I find it difficult to learn an expression or a word, I use it as my screensaver password. I set the screensaver delay to a relatively short time so I am forced to use the expression several times a day. After a while my fingers remember it even if I don't!

2)I Use the slide-show feature on Window XP screensaver (or one could use free screensaver programs such as Flasher) to display phrases or words I want to be able to become familiar with. The best way is to make .gif files with them by :

a) pressing Prnt Scrn (i.e. the Print Screen button) when the text is displayed by the word processor
b) pasting this in a graphic programm (basic like Paint will do),
c) cutting to size and saving as .gif in a dedicated folder to which one links the screensaver.

One can also display pictures with the related word, with kanji and kana, then the same picture with kanji only, then kanji only etc.. It works practically as a flashcard program.

As I find vocabulary building the most difficult part of Japanese learning, I found these facilities really useful.

Best wishes to all of you

[Bucko]

The screensaver idea is great! I've already done it, and now have no problem remembering あきらめる

Thanks!

[Brody]

I find the best way is to familiarize myself with the word, etc. I can't drive it into my head, so I don't waste my time with vocab lists, and what not.

A time always comes when I will be thinking, how do I say that word in Japanese? and I'll remember that I studied the word. I go back and look it up and it sticks forever. Or I'll hear it in Japanese and it will sound familiar and then I'll look it up and it will stick.

The best thing is just to have Japanese language around you a lot. Be thinking about it a lot. I find that I have a good memory and can memorize words off a list, but they don't really mean anything to me unless I make a connection in my brain. It's a much slower process but works so much better. I never forget the word and from there on I can use it perfectly and call it up quickly.

So I guess my point is that you should try to be around the language as much as possible. Things will start to stick when your brain is ready. I don't think you can force this stuff. Just be patient.

Of course, that's just me...

[mikuji]

Brody,

I agree with you that just learning lists is quite sterile. It is context that make them stick. 以上 に, the stronger the emotion involved the better ! (left and right side of brain working together).

However, the above methods are not without merit when you consider that some of us have to create the context, as we do not have much access to spoken Japanese (until Jpod101 came along, at least ;o) ). The screen saver display of photoes/graphics illustrating expressions is my attempt to create such context.

とにかく, another great tip comes from www.About.com in the 'Learning Japanese' section: they suggest to learn how to say everyday actions and say aloud what you are doing as you do it in everyday situation like :目　が　覚める、as you open your eyes and 手　お　洗う as wash your hands.

よろしく　お願い　します

[Jason]

とにかく, another great tip comes from www.About.com in the 'Learning Japanese' section: they suggest to learn how to say everyday actions and say aloud what you are doing as you do it in everyday situation like :目　が　覚める、as you open your eyes and 手　お　洗う as wash your hands.

That is a great tip. The greater the variety of connections the brain has to the meaning of a word/phrase (visual, aural, tactile, etc), the better people tend to remember it.

[wordoholic]

I'd suggest to try my software that assists word memorization: http://wordoholic.com

[untmdsprt]

@mikuji - that's a good idea! For you Mac users using Leopard, you can actually have the Japanese dictionaries put up a word for the day in the screen saver. It's a nice underwater type screensaver that can put a random English or Japanese word. I have it set to put up only the Japanese words. If I see one I want to know more about, I'll press "D" and the dictionary will come up with the definition.

@Brody - most of the Japanese words that I've learned are on a need to know basis since I'm in Japan. Unfortunately, most of them have gone away since they were a one time deal. That's too bad. It would have been nice for them to be tucked away in my long-term memory.