A useful flashcard asks one clear question. It might be a word you heard in class, a phrase for ordering lunch, or an expression you want to use in a conversation.
Start with a situation, not a huge list
Pick a small group of words that belong together: getting around a city, meeting someone new or talking about your work. A focused set is easier to return to than a collection of every unfamiliar word you encounter.
Use a title that tells you when you’ll need it, such as “At the café” or “Words from lesson three”. Add terms you expect to use and leave room to expand the set later.
Keep each card clear
Put the word or short phrase you’re learning on one side and a concise meaning on the other. Include an article or a short context when it changes how you would use the word. If a word has several different meanings, separate them when one card becomes confusing.
This card has a purpose: it gives you a phrase you can use at the end of a meal. A longer note can be useful too, but it shouldn’t hide the answer you’re trying to recall.
Try recalling the answer before you flip
Read one side, pause and try to say the other. Then turn the card over and compare. Mark “Know” when you can recall the answer, and “Don’t know” when you need another look. The point is to identify what needs practice, not to make every answer look correct.
In Alingva, you can start from the term or from the definition. Practise both directions when you want to understand a word and be able to produce it yourself.
Move beyond the card when you’re ready
Once the words start to feel familiar, switch to Learn or Test. With Pro, you can also use your selected vocabulary in reading, writing and listening activities. A different task gives you another reason to recall the same words.
Create your first set in Alingva
- Sign up or open your account and choose “Create study set”.
- Select the languages, name your set, and add terms with their meanings.
- Save the set and choose Flashcards to start practising.
Already have a word list? Import a CSV instead of typing every pair again. You can edit the cards after importing them.