Learning words in another language? The keyword method builds a bridge in two steps.
- Sound link: find an English word that sounds like the new word.
- Picture link: make a vivid picture joining that English word with the meaning.
| New word | Means | Sounds like | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|
| gato (Spanish) | cat | gate | A cat swinging on a garden gate. |
| pato (Spanish) | duck | pot | A duck sitting in a cooking pot, quacking. |
| mesa (Spanish) | table | messy | A table piled with a messy heap of dishes. |
| libro (Spanish) | book | library | A library where every book has legs. |
Key idea
Sound link plus picture link. Say the word, see the picture, get the meaning.
Worked example: Worked example
Spanish perro means dog. Build a keyword picture.
- Sound: perro sounds a little like "pear."
- Picture: a dog chewing a giant pear.
Answer: A dog chewing a giant pear (perro, dog).
Common mistake
Forgetting the true pronunciation. The keyword is a bridge to the meaning; still learn to say the word correctly.