How To Memorize Vocabulary in Another Language [7 Easy Tips]

Let's be real - memorizing endless lists of new vocabulary words is one of the biggest drags when learning a new language. Staring at those foreign phrases and desperately trying to burn them into your brain? Straight-up torturous.

However, getting that vocab down is crucial for achieving any real fluency! I've been in your shoes before. I used to think forcing myself to learn at least 20 new words per day would rapidly boost my Mandarin skills. But then I'd wake up the next morning and...poof! Barely any of those vocab entries had stuck.

That cycle of cramming and forgetting was beyond frustrating. I knew there had to be a better way to get new vocabulary to stick without feeling like I was smashing my head against a wall. And that's when I discovered that I needed to approach the whole language learning process strategically.

So in this post, I'll let you in on the specific tricks, hacks, and techniques that finally clicked for me. With just a little upfront effort, you'll barely realize you're actively studying. You'll simply be having a blast as those vocab entries get hard-coded into your brain's memory vault!

Different Styles of Language Learning

Everyone has their own methods for absorbing new language and when it comes to memory, one size does not fit all.

For some, studying textbooks and vocab lists is the best way to make words stick. However, for others, this method is tedious and ineffective.

You might prefer to watch TV and movies in your language of choice or listen to podcasts and music. If this is your preferred method, check out Lingopie.

Lingopie is a streaming service that is designed to help you learn a new language through immersion in the vernacular and the use of interactive learning features.

You can also take part in language exchange events in which you speak with a partner in your native language and then swap to their native language. This way, both of you can practice your target languages.

Depending on your learning style (visual, auditory, or more hands-on), one method might jump out to you as more appealing.

The Science of Memorization Techniques

Ever feel like new vocabulary words just keep slipping out of your brain no matter how much you try to cram them in? It's not you, it's science! Our brains have a whole intricate process for taking in and locking down that new lingo.

Encoding is step one - registering new words in your brain. It happens through visuals (seeing the word), audio (hearing it pronounced), or just learning the definition. Use all three methods to solidly encode.
Storage is like having two brain vaults. Short-term storage holds limited random bits, but long-term memory is the fortress where you want vocab words securely locked down permanently.
Retrieval is the tricky part. Your long-term vault doesn't just hand over words freely - they're carefully filed away by association and context. So the more creative, visual, even crazy associations you make while encoding new words initially, the easier they'll be to locate and retrieve from your vault later on.

That's why techniques like mnemonics, visualization, and spaced repetition are absolute game-changers for building vocabulary:

Mnemonics create ridiculous idioms and images to burn words into your psyche
Visualization is self-explanatory - make a mental movie to associate with new words
Spaced repetition reinforces storage through timed review, no marathons required

Toss in a good night's sleep (critical for solidifying fresh memories), and you've got the full-mind-bodied system for becoming a true wordsmith.

Using Memory Techniques to Learn Vocabulary Words

Here are 7 effective and fun ways to memorize foreign vocabulary.

1. Incorporate Your Environment

The idea is to literally surround yourself with new vocabulary words by integrating them into your living space. But we're not just talking random vocab labels slapped on everything - you need to create vivid, multisensory associations.

For example, I put the French word for "shower" (douche) on my bathroom mirror, but then pictured the letters forming out of the steamy condensation. For cooking words, I'd imagine the French vocabulary materializing in the sizzling oil of my frying pan.

The weirder and more personal the visualization, the better it will stick in your memory. Your brain encodes visual, contextual associations way more effectively than any rote repetition.

Another approach is using photos or artwork around your place. I printed out images related to new words and put them on my fridge, coffee table, you name it. Seeing a pic of a beach every morning helped solidify the vocab for "sand" and "ocean."

You're essentially transforming your home into one big contextual language immersion zone. It seems goofy at first, but trust me, it works like a charm! Every time you go to make coffee or grab a snack, you'll organically encode those vocab entries without even trying.

2. Use Mnemonic Images

There is a theory that if you create a "memory palace" in your head, you can store mnemonic images inside it to help you remember new words.

For example, when learning the German word "denken" for "to think", I pictured myself in my living room, staring intently at a den...ken (tenkin) of pensively pacing lions. Bizarre, I know, but that ridiculous image has burned into my brain forever now.

The key is getting shamelessly weird and visual with it. Make those mnemonic associations as stupid, filthy, or abstract as you need to for maximum stickiness. I've employed everything from celebs in compromising positions to office supplies committing unspeakable acts - whatever internally preposterous scene helps lock in that vocab.

And don't just stop at one memory palace - populate as many familiar environments as possible with these unforgettable images. Your childhood home's kitchen, your daily commute route, even the inside of your car or favorite bar can become epic memory museums for new words.

I remember struggling to retain the Italian word "fagioli" for beans. But picturing my nonna's kitchen overflowing with a tidal wave of gigantic, screaming fagioli? Suddenly that vocab is seared into my mind's eye for life.

3. Create Stories with New Vocabulary

Creating silly, visual stories is a fantastic way to make new vocabulary words stick. Our brains just remember crazy, contextual narratives so much better than boring word lists.

Here's how to put it into practice: Let's say you're trying to learn some basic French words like "chien" (dog), "manger" (to eat), and "gateau" (cake). Instead of repeating them over and over, you'd create an entertaining little story using all those terms.

For example, you could picture a funny scene of a hungry chien who escapes and devours an entire gateau at a fancy French bakery. But give it a twist - like the dog is eating the cake in an overly proper, pinky-up manner to be even more memorable.

The more absurd, visual, and humorous you can make the story details, the deeper those vocabulary words will stick in your memory. Maybe the chien leaves a trail of crumbs everywhere as the bakers gasp "Sacrebleu!" You're tapping into your brain's natural ability to remember outrageous narratives.

The best part is that you can keep reusing favorite characters or storylines to connect new words together over time. Like an eccentric French poodle who becomes the comedic star of an entire semester's worth of vocab stories.

4. Try to Use New Words Everyday

Instead of just reciting vocab lists, I'd challenge myself to naturally work those fresh terms into my everyday conversations and routines as much as possible. If I learned the Spanish word for "microwave" that day, I'd make a point of yelling it out loud whenever I was nuking some leftovers. Grabbing my "chaqueta" on the way out the door, ordering an "ensalada" at lunch, etc.

The key is making a game of it and being consciously aware of opportunities to talk like a local. I'd even narrate mundane tasks to myself in my target language just to get those reps in. Soon it became an entertaining mental exercise rather than mindless study.

But I'd take it a step further too. If I encountered an especially tricky term, I'd leave a written reminder for myself somewhere I knew I'd see it repeatedly throughout the day. Maybe I'd scribble it on the bathroom mirror to read while brushing my teeth. Or stick it on my computer screen for when I needed vocab breaks.

The more creative and contextual I could be about incorporating and saying these new words into my existing daily patterns, the deeper they'd get encoded into my long-term memory. It was zero boredom, all language immersion!

Hands down, this habit of actively "living" vocabulary made it stick better than any rote repetition method. It quickly became an ingrained, lightweight routine I looked forward to daily.

5. Use Language Learning Apps

Language learning apps, such as Duolingo, can be beneficial for vocabulary practice as they provide example sentences for context and focus on specific areas of vocabulary at one time.

This is a fun and accessible way to memorize more words and their meaning and practice recalling information in a safe space. Check out our post about paid language learning apps vs. free language learning apps.

6. Watch Foreign Movies and TV

If you learn well with audio and visual associations, use TV and movies to help you learn. You can spot foreign vocabulary in real-life situations on shows you love and expose yourself to new vocabulary in an engaging and fun way.

A great thing about using TV and movies to learn new words is that you will come across colloquialisms and slang that you wouldn't find in a textbook or formal learning app

7. Use Flash Cards and Quizzes

For flashcards, I took it to the next level with video-based cards from my Lingopie sessions to really make those words stick. For example, when learning the French word "manger" (to eat), I had a looping video on the front of my flashcard that showed someone dramatically devouring a comically large sandwich.

Using videos allowed me to connect new vocabulary with multi-sensory cues beyond just visuals - sounds, motion, and even background context helped cement the meanings in my brain. I had this one clip for "caminar" (to walk in Spanish) that had rhythmic footsteps synced up in the most gratuitously walk-y way possible.

The beauty was being able to capture such dynamic, situational examples compared to static images or text alone. Those video snippets created far stickier memory hooks.

Plus, the novelty just made studying new words so much more fun and engaging than traditional flashcards. I got weirdly invested in curating the perfect illustrative clips for my decks. Ended up basically gamifying the whole experience!

Quizzing myself using these video-based cards was extra effective too. I'd almost try to predict the footage based on the word, activating multiple recall pathways in my brain. In no time, mind-blowing levels of vocabulary stuck landed in my long-term memory bank.

The Importance of Memorizing Vocabulary

Learning languages is a process with many facets, including vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and the language skills of speaking, writing, listening, and reading. When you are trying to learn a new language, all of these factors are important and necessary.

You can master grammar and pronunciation, but if you do not have the words to express yourself, these other aspects of learning a new language mean very little.

It can be incredibly frustrating when you cannot express your thoughts in another tongue because you don't have the necessary vocabulary words in your memory bank.

Once your vocabulary grows and you are able to express more complex thoughts and feelings, you can start to reap the rewards of being multi-lingual. These include travel opportunities, enjoyment of literature from other countries, and the jobs available to polyglots.

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Memorize Vocabulary

Why do I have trouble remembering the meaning of new words?

You may have trouble with vocabulary memorization because you overload your brain with words and don't use techniques like memory palaces. Or, you've not yet discovered your ideal learning style.

How can I memorize vocabulary faster?

The best way to memorize new vocabulary quickly is to work out which methods work best for you. Once you know this, remember to sleep well and take regular breaks.

Of course, some languages are easier than others to learn fast. Languages that you can learn quickly as an English speaker include French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

How do I learn words that do not translate into my native language?

When you come across a word with no direct translation, it becomes very important to pay attention to the context of the word.

For example, the Portuguese word saudade expresses an extreme longing for something or someone stronger than nostalgia.

When you hear this word, you have to focus on the rest of the sentence and the context to fully grasp the meaning of the word.

What are the best TV shows for memorizing vocabulary?

When choosing TV shows for memorizing vocabulary, it's smart to pick a show related to the specific vocabulary you want to learn. For instance, if you want to remember words about family relationships, a sitcom is a great choice.

Moreover, choose easy-to-watch shows with simple plots so you are not distracted by the confusing twists and turns, and you can focus on the vocabulary.

Summing Up: How to Memorize Vocabulary in a Foreign Language

This has been a guide to memorizing new words in other languages. We have looked at the different styles of learning and the science of memorization. We have also provided 7 excellent methods to memorize new vocabulary.

Whether you are more inclined to make a memory palace and envision new words with mnemonic images or you prefer to absorb information organically by watching foreign TV and movies, there is a memorization method here for you.

Remember, use apps designed to help you learn new words, and check out Lingopie's streaming service if you love interactive learning.

This is a powerful tool for natural language acquisition.

How To Memorize Vocabulary in Another Language [7 Easy Tips]

Different Styles of Language Learning

The Science of Memorization Techniques