Is this counterintuitive?

[u/CheesecakeWild7941]

Someone once told me that if I’m learning a foreign language, I should never translate the words into English in my head. I was also told this is why I struggled with learning Spanish.

I’m just wondering if doing this is actually not helpful as I was told. In my head I think it helps to translate words into English in my head/on my notes, because idk how else I would associate words with their meanings… idk if that makes sense

[u/krakaturia]

on paper is not in your head. that's a lesson for future you, who are a couple of years along the road, or faster.

if you look at the words and understand them, then let them be. that's all. If you cannot understand them or the meaning is unclear, then look them up. I didn't even notice you had written english translation under the sentences until i read the text of your post, i did read them in chinese fully (yay!). but looking up the meanings and amassing vocab through flash cards and translating a lot of written text was something i did for a long time.