Language Learning

Usually, mnemonics are my nuclear option if it gets to this point. I guess one could say I have a sliding scale with my vocab, where I step the word up if it's problematic:

• base word
• base word with sentence
• base word with sentence and meaning note
• base word with sentence, meaning note and/or mnemonic

Here's an example. A while ago, for some reason I constantly mixed up 転ぶ (to fall down/over, pronounced korobu) and 運ぶ. (to carry/transport, pronounced hakobu). hakobu is a very high frequency word, so even seeing/hearing the word wasn't enough. I initially tried a visual mnemonic with the kanji, which didn't stick (and French doesn't have, of course). Eventually I connected the word hako, meaning "box," to hakobu.

hako wo hakobu. Carry a box.

It's been much stickier since, although I still sometimes find myself sometimes briefly pulling up the binary choice and the mnemonic before selecting correctly. The association's still there, but it's faded a lot since I've put in more time with the language.

Yeah, these are annoying!

The main thing I've changed that helps with that, is I've started putting the example sentence on the front of the card.

I like it for a few reasons. The point at hand - disambiguation. A lot of times in context, it's obvious which answer I should remember. But also, then I read the example sentences more often. When they're on the back, I tend to skip over them if I'm powering through several reviews. In the case of Japanese, this also gives me an opportunity to try and read the whole sentence w/o furigana.

Downside is that the example sentence can make it too obvious. This is actually totally fine IMO. The whole point of the Anki card is to prepare you to actually use language. If the word is clear in context, great, that's the whole point. It's also not too hard to ignore the sentence if you are in that mood.

But then, sometimes I still mess up similar words even in context. Rather than let it leech, I add a caution note.

Edit: re-reading, I realized that my mind went to a slightly different kind of disambiguation. Still, I think the answers apply all the same.

Don't use Anki for this. Instead learn meanings through reading (including reading the dictionary in the target language).

I see Anki as the bridge between ignorance and immersion. You should only study the most common meaning to get started in the language. But you must always review the word in the dictionary.

At A1 or even A2 you aren't strong enough to read a native dictionary however. But at B1+ (well, I'm at A2+) you will suddenly notice that the native dictionary isn't so bad anymore

At A2+ I can read the example sentences and different meanings. I don't understand it all but I can learn from dictionaries now..

A2+ meaning I completed A2 months ago but am still very far away from B1.

Anki is just good enough for seeding your understanding. The hard work happens at the immersion step. Don't try to make Anki do something it's bad at.

Use a dictionary. Seriously. If you aren't strong enough for a native dictionary use a bi-lingual dictionary instead.