How I turned my passive vocabulary into active vocabulary.
When I traveled to Taiwan in 2019, I couldn’t form a complete sentence without stumbling over my words.
I had learned a lot of vocabulary from textbooks, but when I tried to speak, my mind would go blank.
I had studied grammar rules, but when I tried to form a sentence, the rules became a jumbled mess in my mind.
I overlooked something obvious now but was key in hindsight:
Quality > Quantity.
I had already learned a lot of vocabulary, but it remained “passive” because I never turned them into “active” vocabulary.
I had accumulated thousands of characters from vocabulary lists, but I didn’t focus on applying what I learned.
Accumulation without substance was weighing me down.
So what’s the practical solution?
Instead of accumulating more vocabulary, I focused on refining the practical vocabulary I already knew by copying native speakers in practical situations.
Instead of gaining more passive vocabulary, I focused on converting my passive vocabulary into active vocabulary through speaking practice and feedback.
Results:
Before:
Could not remember vocabulary when speaking
Not confident when speaking
Scared of having Chinese conversations
After:
Easily remember vocabulary when speaking
Confident speaking
Eager to have more Chinese conversations
The key to speaking with confidence was not focusing on the quantity of vocabulary, but on the quality of the vocabulary by anchoring it into our memory.
We do this inside the Chinese Speakers Community.
We clarify the top three problems you can solve first.
Then, we build confidence by turning the passive vocabulary we already know into active vocabulary.
Next, we refine further by learning longer phrases that native speakers use all the time in conversation, making Chinese conversations fun.
I’m opening the Chinese Speakers Community next week.
I have space for 4 more learners to join.
Reply “Quality” for an early invite.
加油,
Danyo
PS cool vocabulary the day:
刻骨铭心 (kè gǔ míng xīn)
刻 (kè): To carve; to engrave.
骨 (gǔ): Bone.
铭 (míng): To inscribe; to engrave.
心 (xīn): Heart; mind.
Translation: To be engraved in one's bones and heart; to be unforgettable; to leave a deep impression.
Example sentence: 这次经历对他来说是刻骨铭心的,让他永生难忘。(Zhè cì jīnglì duì tā lái shuō shì kè gǔ míng xīn de, ràng tā yǒngshēng nánwàng.) This experience was unforgettable for him, leaving a lasting impression that he will remember for the rest of his life.