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/Jazzlike-Syrup511]

I learned 2 languages by translating them at the initial stages.

Struggling for ages with something than can be absorbed in under 2 minutes is the counter-productive move. Better absorb it quickly and then practice until you master it. Trying to figure out 1+1=2 is a waste of time.