Vocabulary learning guides
Recognising a word and retrieving it when you need it are different things. These guides give you practical starting points for making short vocabulary sessions more useful.
Start with a question
How do you remember vocabulary instead of forgetting it?
A practical vocabulary routine: try to recall, check the answer, practise both directions and return on another day.
How many new words should I learn each day?
Start with a small vocabulary target and adjust it to your review load. New cards and learned words are not the same measure.
Can a vocabulary test tell me my CEFR level?
What a vocabulary placement test can tell you, why it is not a full CEFR exam and how to choose a useful starting level.
What should I look for in a vocabulary app?
Compare vocabulary apps by learning direction, review scheduling, audio, offline access and the content you actually need.
How should I learn idioms and phrasal verbs?
Learn everyday expressions as units of meaning. See why “No way!” and “give up” need different treatment from a word-for-word translation.
I recognise vocabulary but cannot recall it when speaking
Separate recognition, recall and use with a small vocabulary exercise. Learn to write clearer reverse prompts and track the first attempt after a break.
When should I review vocabulary, and what if reviews pile up?
A practical vocabulary review plan for missed days and overdue cards. Understand why a fixed 1–3–7-day schedule is not a universal rule.
Explore your target language
When should I review vocabulary, and what if reviews pile up?
A practical vocabulary review plan for missed days and overdue cards. Understand why a fixed 1–3–7-day schedule is not a universal rule.
English vocabulary: how to start and what to practise
Start with frequent meanings you encounter in everyday material. Recognising an English word and retrieving it from your own language are different tasks; practise both.
Spanish vocabulary: how to start and what to practise
Learn nouns with their articles and practise recalling Spanish from English as well as recognising it. Treat accent marks as part of the spelling, not optional decoration.
French vocabulary: how to start and what to practise
Connect the written word, its sound and its meaning from the beginning. French spelling does not map to pronunciation letter by letter. Remembering a noun with its article also helps preserve grammatical gender.
German vocabulary: how to start and what to practise
Yes. Where possible, learn a noun with its article and plural form. An English translation alone leaves out information you will need when forming sentences.
Japanese vocabulary: how to start and what to practise
Romaji can help you get started, but reading Japanese requires the original script too. Connect a word’s writing, reading, sound and meaning; gradually use Latin letters as support rather than your only route to the answer.
Korean vocabulary: how to start and what to practise
Use Hangul from the beginning of vocabulary study. Romanisation can help you approach a word, but it cannot represent Korean sounds perfectly. Work with the writing, recording and meaning together.
Vocabulary courses for English speakers
Spanish vocabulary for English speakers
Words and meanings: 19,869 · Levels: A1–C2 · Idioms and everyday expressions: 1,367
French vocabulary for English speakers
Words and meanings: 19,888 · Levels: A1–C2 · Idioms and everyday expressions: 1,450
German vocabulary for English speakers
Words and meanings: 19,906 · Levels: A1–C2 · Idioms and everyday expressions: 1,399
Japanese vocabulary for English speakers
Words and meanings: 19,922 · Levels: A1–C2 · Idioms and everyday expressions: 1,441
Korean vocabulary for English speakers
Words and meanings: 19,900 · Levels: A1–C2 · Idioms and everyday expressions: 1,189
Get to know Vocabee
Questions that come up when learning vocabulary
Forgetting, recall while speaking, daily word targets, review schedules and language choices: short answers with detailed practice guides.
Which languages does Vocabee support?
Explore six target languages, 21 teaching languages and 72 published language pairs, with actual course entry counts.
How does Vocabee’s spaced repetition work?
Introductions, two-way vocabulary practice and FSRS reviews across days. What is supported by research, and what is a product choice.
Vocabee: frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Vocabee languages, its free start, offline use, accounts and vocabulary placement.
About Vocabee: product, content and contact
Who Vocabee is for, how public product information is maintained, and where to send content corrections.