How to remember German vocabulary (that actually sticks)

Learning a word once isn't enough — the brain forgets fast unless you review at the right moment. Here's how to make German vocabulary stick.

1. Use spaced repetition

Review a word just before you'd forget it, then again later. Each successful review stretches the gap and locks the word into long-term memory.

2. Learn words in context

A word inside a sentence is far easier to recall than a word on its own. Always learn an example, not just a translation.

3. Learn the article with every noun

Always store der, die or das together with the noun. If you learn the word without it, you'll have to relearn the gender later.

• Hear the word spoken — sound aids memory.
• Connect new words to ones you already know.
• Review daily, even for just five minutes.