How to learn new words

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March 25th, 2006, 02:34 AM
kwatts59

How to learn new words

I am trying to learn new слова.
When I am at home, I use the Interlex program on my компутер.
I am currently focusing on learning the top 2000 most popular Russian слова so I don't end up wasting valuable brain space learning useless words like "упоительный" and "удовлетворительный" and "достопримечательности". (Unfortunately, they are already permanently burned into my мозг)

With Interlex, I find out which words are most difficult for me to memorize, then I print them out. When I am away from my computer, I always carry the list of words so if I ever get bored standing on line or something, I pull out the list and study.

Being that I am not in a Russian speaking environment, what is the best way to learn new words. Here are some of the methods I use. What do you suggest?
March 25th, 2006, 04:13 AM
capecoddah

D, all of the above, But E, add a few. I like to learn with things I know about or have a great interest in. I asked about ordinate directions; I am not 100%, but I have learned by reading posts how to say a few other things. The man looking for help with Geocaching helped me. I knew it was wrong, and I looked for the Russian Geocaching site. I don't understand it all, but it helps me to learn. I try BBC in Russian, but there are so many words I don't know.
My original learning was from students working here in the summer months. I learned BASIC questions and answers and how to count to 20+. I learn from my 'chat-friends'. I read 'How to learn' books. I can't get to classes, they are big $$$ and miles away.

Спасиба MR forums,
Спасиба
March 25th, 2006, 04:27 AM
Leof

Quote:

I like to learn with things I know about or have a great interest in.

well said words! And I agree with capecoddah - I think it's one of the best ways to learn the new words in their natural settings. Besides reading of such books (and I'd add watching of favourite movies in original) is the rare ocassion when you can combine the study with the pure enjoyment. Just remember to check the just known phrase in Translate this forum :)

PS: спасибо
March 25th, 2006, 05:18 AM
basurero

I asked this question a while ago, not sure if you remember.

http://masterrussian.net/mforum/viewtop ... highlight=

My methods are pretty similar now but I learn less words, about 10 a day because I'm busier. And most of my words I get from this forum and not the news.

Между прочим, that's a good idea to take a list of words around, I think I'll give that a shot.
March 25th, 2006, 06:53 AM
BlackMage

Re: How to learn new words

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwatts59

"упоительный" and "удовлетворительный" and "достопримечательности".

If you just knew a little bit about what makes up a word, you wouldn't have any trouble understanding words like this. (Without memorizing.) Though, admittedly, I'm not quite sure what упоительный is. I wanna say like stunning or something.

Other: Magic

I really think you can do all the flash cards and gimmick programs you like and never really attain a reasonable grasp of a language. At some point it will just click in your brain and you'll start spitting out semi-coherent Russian.
You're crazy, says the disbeliever, but this is how the brain works. Memory and language are two seperate things, so while you may be able to store thousands of words in your memory, you'll never really be able to access them efficently and string them into meaningful, grammatical sentences.
March 25th, 2006, 07:02 AM
kwatts59

Re: How to learn new words

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackMage

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwatts59

"упоительный" and "удовлетворительный" and "достопримечательности".

If you just knew a little bit about what makes up a word, you wouldn't have any trouble understanding words like this. (Without memorizing.) Though, admittedly, I'm not quite sure what упоительный is. I wanna say like stunning or something.

Other: Magic

упоительный means enchanting, or ravishing. I heard it in a song.

удовлетворительный means satisfying. It was in a list called "the top 3500 common Russian words". I studied all 3500 words and later found out that many of the words were not very popular.

достопримечательности = sightseeing. A very easy word to learn. It appeared in this forum several times.
March 25th, 2006, 07:12 AM
BlackMage

Yeah, those are what I thought.
March 25th, 2006, 07:14 AM
BladeStuckin

I try to read the russian news websites watch Russian T.V., etc. That and a couple of dictionaries. It takes me longer than I'd like to admit, but that's how I learn.

Haven't seen you on the forum for awhile Ken. Как дела ?
March 25th, 2006, 11:15 AM
Dimitri

Russian News (printed in Russian) - I think it's best way!
March 25th, 2006, 11:17 AM
Dimitri

Quote:

When I am at home, I use the Interlex program on my компьютер.
March 25th, 2006, 11:18 AM
TATY

Just fucking learn them.
March 25th, 2006, 12:58 PM
Seventh-Monkey

Mostly just repeat batches of words toddling back from college (about an hour's walk), on the bus, etc. I also have computer programs in Russian where I'm familiar enough with the interface to not just be baffled. I read news stuff occasionally, and a few "word association" things have bound themselves to me (trotuar, and, sorta, чистить -> chastite).

PS: and "равнина" -> ravine, pretty much the complete opposite.
March 26th, 2006, 08:36 AM
Mockingbirdflyaway

I've been copying out wordlists and just generally haunting this place and a few other forums.

..... and I eavesdrop on my Russian friends when they're talking and entertain myself by trying to figure out what they're saying.
March 26th, 2006, 12:36 PM
detail

Reading and writing is the best way. + some words that are used less frequently but need to be learned - with cards.
March 27th, 2006, 06:45 AM
NeveRtheDon

in my opinion the best way to learn russian is, going out and hanging with russian friends.
March 27th, 2006, 07:03 AM
DDT

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeveRtheDon

in my opinion the best way to learn russian is, going out and hanging with russian friends.

Really? how can you be sure that they are really your friends?
March 27th, 2006, 07:46 AM
Riko

I learn new words by reading them, (as best I can) then translate them (threw internet). The I'll have a friend correct me. Then if I have the time, I'll use flash cards :P
March 27th, 2006, 04:52 PM
Lt. Columbo

threw internet = oh deer :|
March 28th, 2006, 03:50 AM
basurero

threw internet - should be through the internet, unless you picked up your modem and chucked it out the window.

Quote:

Really? how can you be sure that they are really your friends

Friends are people who you think are your friends, but they're really your enemies, with secret identities to disguise their true colours.
March 28th, 2006, 03:52 AM
kalinka_vinnie

Now, now, we all know it is the Internet with a capital "I"!!! :twisted:
March 28th, 2006, 07:36 AM
net surfer

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDT

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeveRtheDon

in my opinion the best way to learn russian is, going out and hanging with russian friends.

Really? how can you be sure that they are really your friends?

Does that matter for learning the language?
March 28th, 2006, 07:44 AM
basurero

Quote:

Originally Posted by net surfer

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDT

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeveRtheDon

in my opinion the best way to learn russian is, going out and hanging with russian friends.

Really? how can you be sure that they are really your friends?

Does that matter for learning the language?

В разных случаях, да, это очень важно.....

Например:

-How do you say "hello, how are you doing?" in Russian?
-Х*й тебе с*ка!!!!
-Ah, thank you. I can't wait to say it to my Russian girlfriend's parents.
March 28th, 2006, 08:00 AM
net surfer

Lol, sometimes even good friends can make fun :)
March 28th, 2006, 01:10 PM
detail

Hehe, true story.

My American friend made his Russian girlfriend tell to our British friend: "How do you do, w*nker? Let's have a sh*g". The Brit was :o :o :o

:lol: :lol: :lol:
March 28th, 2006, 01:14 PM
Rtyom

:lol: The Brit should've taken advantage of the situation.
March 31st, 2006, 06:52 AM
dreebs

I scan here for new words hehe :lol: and I go on that game on MR where you get a word in Russian or English and you have to click the right words....or I use flashcards...I didn't know until I went but being in Russia for a while helped me with speaking, I went for 3 weeks and went in winter...best days of my life :D hehe and I learnt a lot :)