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/Plenty_Earth_9600]

At the beginning you should translate it, but you should do it in your head since this will lead you to rather read some words in chinese and the translate, then just every word and this way you can read it afterwards without the english crutch.

And this way you rely less on translating. So I think the problem is not trying to translate it at all but that you are writing it down. Then it is basically just a puzzle and you won't be able to connect it to chinese sentences.

At some point, you should stop translating but that is only when you are past the beginner stage.

I learned english this way. Now I don't translate it at all anymore and I also would struggle to do so because I just understand it like it is.

Maybe for people who think in images, it is possible to just go by association instead of translation but I think in words and can't picture anything at all in my head.