If memorising words feels like a painful chore, you're probably doing it all wrong.
Have you ever had this experience:
You clutch your vocabulary book, diligently memorising from “abandon” to “zoo”, feeling proud of your incredible perseverance. Only to turn around, try to use a word while chatting with a friend, and your mind goes blank, leaving you awkwardly resorting to “that thing”.
Why do we put in so much effort into memorising words, yet always fall short when we need them the most?
The problem might lie in a place we’ve never suspected: we’ve always treated language learning as “stockpiling ingredients”, rather than “learning to cook”.
Your Brain is Not a Warehouse, It's a Kitchen
Imagine you aspire to be a great chef. How do you go about it? Do you rush to the market, buy piles of potatoes, tomatoes, and onions, then stack them all in your kitchen, muttering to yourself daily, “This is a potato, this is a tomato…”
That sounds absurd, doesn't it? A warehouse full of top-notch ingredients won't make you a good chef.
But when we learn English, that’s often exactly what we do. We frantically swipe through vocabulary apps, organise word lists, and cram isolated words into our brains. We believe that as long as we “stockpile” enough “ingredients”, one day we’ll be able to whip up a linguistic feast.
The truth is: Your brain remembers a word not because you “memorised” it, but because you “used” it.
Just like cooking, you truly understand the characteristics of each ingredient only by handling them, trying combinations, and tasting flavours. Language is the same; words only truly become a part of you when you use them, understand them, and experience them in real contexts.
So, stop being an “ingredient hoarder”. From today, let’s learn how to become a true “language chef”.
1. Don't Just Stare at Ingredients, Read the Cookbook
Old Method: Clutching word lists, memorising from A to Z. New Approach: Find a “cookbook” that genuinely interests you – it could be a movie you love, a song you’re hooked on, an interesting tech article, or a blogger you follow.
When you immerse yourself in content you genuinely love, your brain stops passively receiving information. It actively works to understand the plot, feel the emotions, and make connections. In this process, frequently appearing, crucial words – like indispensable spices in a dish – are naturally absorbed. You’re not “memorising” it; you're “using” it to understand this “cookbook”.
2. Don't Learn in Isolation, Learn Within the “Dish”
Old Method: sky = its direct, isolated meaning; beautiful = its direct, isolated meaning. New Approach: “I was looking at the beautiful sky.”
Which is easier to remember? Definitely the latter.
An isolated word is like a raw potato, cold and hard. But when it appears in a dish like “Braised Potatoes”, it gains warmth, flavour, and context.
From now on, when you encounter a new word, don’t just note down its isolated meaning. Jot down the entire sentence it’s in, or a phrase that contains it. Let the word live within a story, a scene, an emotion. That’s how it will truly take root in your memory.
3. You Don't Need All the Spices in the World, Just a Few Go-To Ones
Old Method: Looking up every unfamiliar word, trying to master every single one. New Approach: Be selective; learn only what you’ll actually “use in your cooking”.
A great chef isn’t great because they know every spice in the kitchen, but because they can masterfully use their most common ones.
Language learning is the same. Do you really need to know how to say “basalt” or “Peloponnesian War”? Unless you’re a geologist or a history buff, the answer is probably no.
Focus your energy on vocabulary that’s closely related to your life, work, and interests. Ask yourself: “Will I use this word when chatting with friends? Is this word related to topics I like?” If the answer is no, let it go for now. Learn to prioritise, and your brain will thank you for it.
The Real Secret: Stop “Preparing Dishes” Alone; Go “Share the Feast” with Friends
When we learn to cook, the ultimate goal isn’t to admire a table full of dishes by ourselves, but for the joy and connection we share with family and friends.
Language, even more so.
The most effective and enjoyable way to learn a language is to use it in real human communication. This is the ultimate “kitchen” for language learning. Here, you’re not just practising “cooking”, but also enjoying the “food” itself.
I know, you might worry about your limited vocabulary, about making mistakes, or about feeling awkward. This is like a novice chef constantly worrying their dishes won’t taste good.
But what if there was a “smart kitchen assistant”? When you’re fumbling around, unable to find a spice (can’t recall a word), it can instantly hand it to you, making your cooking process (chat) smooth and unhindered.
This is precisely what a tool like Intent can offer you. It’s a chat App with built-in AI translation, allowing you to communicate seamlessly with anyone from any corner of the world. When you’re stuck, it can help you with real-time translation, letting you focus on “communication” itself, rather than “searching for words”. In countless real conversations, you’ll naturally master the most useful “ingredients”.
Want to try it? Make friends with the world: https://intent.app/
In conclusion, stop letting memorising words be a drudgery.
Stop being a solitary “word collector”, and start becoming a joyful “language chef” instead.
Find your beloved “cookbook” (content), learn words within real “dishes” (context), focus on the “ingredients” (core vocabulary) you need most, and most importantly, bravely share your “cuisine” (start conversations) with others.
You’ll discover that language learning is no longer a painful struggle, but a wonderful journey full of surprises and connections.