Episode 29 - How to Guess Word Meanings Without a Dictionary.

 Effortless English Podcasts

Effortless English Chat

How to Guess Word Meanings Without a Dictionary.

Alex: Hey everyone, I’m Alex.
Luna: And I’m Luna!
Alex: Welcome back to Effortless English Podcasts!
Luna: Today, we’re talking about a challenge that every language learner faces.
Alex: That’s right.
Alex: What do you do when you see a word you don’t know?
Luna: Do you look it up?
Luna: Do you guess the meaning?
Luna: Or do you just ignore it?
Alex: Some people use a dictionary every time.
Luna: And some people try to figure it out from the sentence.
Alex: But which way is better?
Luna: Well, that’s what we’ll discuss today!
Alex: We’ll share common methods, our own experiences, and even some unusual ways people learn new words.
Luna: Yeah!
Luna: Maybe you’ll hear a method you’ve never thought of before.
Alex: Learning words from context is actually a powerful skill.
Luna: But it’s not always easy.
Alex: No, sometimes the meaning is still unclear.
Luna: Or worse, you guess wrong and embarrass yourself later!
Alex: You sound like you have a personal story there.
Luna: Oh, I have plenty!
Luna: Like one time, I saw the word “chef” and thought it meant “chief.”
Alex: That’s understandable.
Alex: They look similar.
Luna: Yeah, but I told someone, “The chef of our company is very smart.”
Alex: Nice.
Alex: So your company was run by a cook?
Luna: Exactly!
Luna: They laughed, and I wanted to disappear.
Alex: Well, that’s a great example of why learning from context takes practice.
Luna: Yep!
Luna: But don’t worry, we’ll give you useful tips to avoid mistakes.
Alex: Before we start, just a quick reminder—
Luna: We provide full transcripts for each episode.
Alex: You can find the link in the video description.
Luna: And we also have subtitles in multiple languages.
Alex: So if you need extra support, just turn on CC subtitles.
Luna: Alright, let’s jump into today’s topic!

Alex: Alright, let’s start with the most common ways people learn new words.
Luna: Yeah!
Luna: When you see a word you don’t know, what’s your first reaction?
Alex: I usually try to guess the meaning.
Luna: Same here!
Luna: That’s actually one of the most natural ways to learn.
Alex: Right.
Alex: We use the surrounding words to figure it out.
Luna: Like detective work!
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: This method is called learning from context.
Luna: It’s quick and doesn’t interrupt reading or listening.
Alex: But it’s not perfect.
Luna: Nope.
Luna: Sometimes, you guess wrong.
Alex: Yeah, like your “chef” story.
Luna: Hey!
Luna: That was an honest mistake!
Alex: It was, and mistakes help us learn.
Luna: True!
Luna: But what if the context isn’t clear?
Alex: Then you need another method.
Alex: The most obvious one is using a dictionary.
Luna: Ah yes, the classic approach.
Luna: Some people check a dictionary for every unknown word.
Alex: That can be useful, but also slow.
Luna: And sometimes frustrating!
Alex: Yeah.
Alex: If you stop too often, it breaks your focus.
Luna: And let’s be real—some dictionary definitions are confusing.
Alex: That’s why example sentences help.
Luna: Oh, definitely!
Luna: They show how a word is actually used.
Alex: So, dictionaries are great, but they should be used wisely.
Luna: Agreed!
Luna: Another option is asking someone.
Alex: Yes.
Alex: If you have a teacher or friend, that’s a great way to learn.
Luna: But not always possible.
Luna: And sometimes, people explain words badly.
Alex: Or they just give you the translation.
Luna: Yeah, and then you don’t really learn how to use it.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Asking is helpful, but you still need to practice.
Luna: So, what else can we do?
Alex: Writing new words down is a good habit.
Luna: Do you do that?
Alex: Not always, but when I do, it helps.
Luna: I write down words sometimes, but I forget to review them.
Alex: That’s the key—reviewing.
Luna: Ugh, I know!
Luna: But reviewing feels like homework.
Alex: It kind of is.
Luna: No wonder I avoid it!
Alex: But it doesn’t have to be boring.
Alex: You can write words in a funny way.
Luna: Like with pictures or jokes?
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Anything that helps you remember.
Luna: Hmm.
Luna: Maybe I should try that.
Alex: So, we have four common methods: guessing, using a dictionary, asking, and writing words down.
Luna: Each one has pros and cons.
Alex: And different people prefer different methods.
Luna: Yeah!
Luna: What works for one person might not work for another.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: The best method is the one that helps you remember words easily.
Luna: So true!
Luna: And that’s why it’s good to try different ways.
Alex: Up next, we’ll talk about how we learn new words.

Alex: Alright, now let’s talk about how we learn new words.
Luna: Yeah!
Luna: Everyone has their own way, right?
Alex: Definitely.
Alex: And I like to keep things efficient.
Luna: Of course you do.
Luna: Mr. Efficiency strikes again!
Alex: Hey, learning should be effective.
Luna: Sure, sure.
Luna: So, what’s your method?
Alex: First, I try to guess the meaning from context.
Luna: Makes sense.
Alex: If I’m still unsure, I check a dictionary.
Luna: Online or paper dictionary?
Alex: Online, always.
Alex: It’s faster.
Luna: Figures.
Alex: And I don’t just read the definition.
Alex: I look at example sentences.
Luna: That’s smart.
Luna: Seeing the word in action helps.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: If it’s a useful word, I write it down.
Luna: Do you review it later?
Alex: Not always.
Alex: But if I see the word again, it sticks better.
Luna: So, you don’t memorize words?
Alex: No, I let repetition do the work.
Luna: Lazy, but effective.
Alex: I call it optimized learning.
Luna: I call it bare minimum effort.
Alex: Same result, less time.
Luna: Fine, I’ll give you that.
Luna: But my method is more fun.
Alex: Oh?
Alex: Let me guess—more emotions, less logic?
Luna: Exactly!
Luna: I remember words through feelings.
Alex: That sounds... vague.
Luna: It works!
Luna: If a word makes me feel something, I remember it.
Alex: Give me an example.
Luna: Okay!
Luna: I learned “gorgeous” from a movie.
Alex: How?
Luna: The actor said, “You look gorgeous.”
Luna: And the moment was so romantic!
Alex: So, the emotion helped you remember?
Luna: Yes!
Luna: Now, every time I hear “gorgeous,” I think of that scene.
Alex: Interesting.
Alex: But what if a word doesn’t have a strong feeling?
Luna: Then I create one.
Alex: How?
Luna: I make up a funny sentence or story.
Alex: Oh, like a memory trick?
Luna: Exactly!
Luna: Like, “A diligent ant does homework.”
Alex: So you connect “diligent” with an image?
Luna: Yep!
Alex: That’s actually smart.
Luna: Thank you!
Alex: So, your method is about emotions and stories.
Luna: And yours is about efficiency and repetition.
Alex: Different styles, same goal.
Luna: Right!
Luna: The best method is the one that works for you.
Alex: Up next, we’ll talk about some unusual ways people learn words.

Alex: Now, let’s talk about some unusual ways people learn words.
Luna: Ooh, this should be fun!
Alex: First, some people learn words through songs and movies.
Luna: That’s me!
Luna: I love picking up words from songs.
Alex: It makes sense.
Alex: Music helps with memory.
Luna: And movies show how words are actually used.
Alex: True.
Alex: But sometimes, song lyrics aren’t natural.
Luna: Yeah…
Luna: Like, nobody talks like Shakespeare in real life.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: So, it’s good, but not always practical.
Luna: Still, it’s more fun than a textbook.
Alex: I’ll give you that.
Alex: Another method is making up funny stories.
Luna: Oh!
Luna: I do that all the time!
Alex: Of course you do.
Luna: It works!
Luna: Like, I once struggled with “enormous.”
Alex: And?
Luna: So I imagined an enormous elephant eating an entire cake.
Alex: Nice.
Alex: That image sticks.
Luna: Exactly!
Luna: The weirder, the better.
Alex: Science backs that up.
Alex: Strange images are easier to remember.
Luna: See?
Luna: My method is scientific.
Alex: Let’s not go that far.
Luna: Rude.
Alex: Another technique is mnemonics.
Luna: Big word.
Alex: It means memory tricks.
Luna: Oh!
Luna: Like acronyms?
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Or breaking words into parts.
Luna: Give me an example.
Alex: Okay.
Alex: “Embarrass” has two R’s and two S’s.
Alex: So, imagine being really really shy—R R S S.
Luna: Oh, that’s clever!
Luna: I need tricks like that.
Alex: They help with tricky words.
Luna: But not everyone likes memorization.
Alex: Right.
Alex: That’s why different methods work for different people.
Luna: So true!
Luna: The key is finding what makes a word stick for you.
Alex: Up next, we’ll talk about why learning from context actually works.

Alex: So, why does learning from context actually work?
Luna: Good question!
Luna: It feels natural, but what’s the science behind it?
Alex: It’s about how our brain makes connections.
Luna: Ooh, brain science!
Luna: I like it.
Alex: When we see a new word, our brain looks for clues.
Luna: Like a puzzle?
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: It tries to fit the word into what we already know.
Luna: So, the more clues, the easier it is?
Alex: Right.
Alex: Context helps create meaning.
Luna: Makes sense!
Luna: But can it work better than memorization?
Alex: Often, yes.
Alex: Memorized words can be forgotten fast.
Luna: Yeah…
Luna: I’ve memorized words and forgotten them the next day.
Alex: But words learned in context stick longer.
Luna: Because we understand them better?
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Understanding beats rote memorization.
Luna: That explains a lot.
Luna: Like, I never memorized the word “airport.”
Alex: But you learned it naturally?
Luna: Yep!
Luna: Seeing it in signs, movies, and real life helped.
Alex: That’s context learning in action.
Alex: Your brain linked “airport” with travel experiences.
Luna: So, real-world use makes words stronger?
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: That’s why kids learn language from experience.
Luna: Oh, true!
Luna: Babies don’t use flashcards!
Alex: Nope.
Alex: They hear words in situations and absorb meaning.
Luna: So, should we learn like babies?
Alex: In a way, yes.
Alex: The more real exposure, the better.
Luna: That’s why reading helps!
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Books, articles, and even social media give tons of context.
Luna: And conversations!
Luna: Talking to people makes words feel real.
Alex: Right.
Alex: The more you see and use a word, the stronger it gets.
Luna: Context is king!
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Up next, we’ll talk about common mistakes to avoid.

Alex: Alright, now let’s talk about common mistakes people make when learning new words.
Luna: Ooh, this is important!
Luna: Avoiding mistakes makes learning faster.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: The first big mistake?
Alex: Relying too much on translations.
Luna: Ah, yes!
Luna: Just looking up the meaning in your native language.
Alex: Right.
Alex: It feels easy, but it’s not always helpful.
Luna: Yeah!
Luna: Some words don’t translate perfectly.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: A word in English might have a different meaning in another language.
Luna: Like “sympathetic.”
Luna: It doesn’t mean “nice.”
Alex: Yes!
Alex: In English, it means “understanding someone’s feelings.”
Luna: But some learners think it just means “kind.”
Alex: That’s a classic translation mistake.
Luna: So, what should people do instead?
Alex: Use an English-English dictionary.
Luna: Oh, good tip!
Luna: That way, you learn the meaning in English.
Alex: Right.
Alex: It forces you to think in the language.
Luna: Okay, what’s the next big mistake?
Alex: Memorizing words without context.
Luna: Ugh, yes.
Luna: Just making long word lists.
Alex: And never using them.
Luna: It’s painful and useless.
Alex: Our brains don’t like random information.
Luna: Nope.
Luna: Words need a home.
Alex: A home?
Luna: Yeah!
Luna: A word needs to live in a sentence or situation.
Alex: I like that.
Alex: If a word has a home, it’s easier to remember.
Luna: Exactly!
Luna: That’s why stories and examples help so much.
Alex: Right.
Alex: Just memorizing a word alone doesn’t work.
Luna: Okay, what’s the third mistake?
Alex: Ignoring pronunciation.
Luna: Oof.
Luna: Guilty.
Alex: A lot of learners focus only on spelling.
Luna: But English spelling is crazy!
Alex: Yes.
Alex: Some words look easy but sound different.
Luna: Like “tough” and “though.”
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: If you never hear them, you might say them wrong.
Luna: And then people don’t understand you.
Alex: Yep.
Alex: That’s why listening is key.
Luna: And repeating words out loud!
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Say the word, not just read it.
Luna: Even if you’re alone?
Alex: Especially if you’re alone!
Luna: Good point.
Luna: So, the three big mistakes are:
Luna: One, relying too much on translations.
Alex: Two, memorizing without context.
Luna: And three, ignoring pronunciation.
Alex: If you avoid these, learning gets easier and faster.
Luna: Up next, we’ll share practical tips for learning from context!

Alex: Now, let’s talk about practical tips for learning words from context.
Luna: Yes!
Luna: We need clear steps to make it easy.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Let’s start with reading.
Luna: Good idea!
Luna: Reading is one of the best ways to learn new words.
Alex: Right.
Alex: But you need a strategy.
Luna: Not just reading randomly?
Alex: No.
Alex: Here’s how to do it step by step.
Luna: Ooh, I love steps!
Alex: Step one: Choose the right material.
Luna: What does that mean?
Alex: Don’t pick something too hard or too easy.
Luna: Ah!
Luna: So, not a children’s book, but not Shakespeare either?
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Choose something a little challenging but still understandable.
Luna: Got it!
Alex: Step two: Read without stopping.
Luna: Even if you don’t know a word?
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Try to guess the meaning first.
Luna: Oh!
Luna: That’s how we train our brain.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Step three: Look for clues in the sentence.
Luna: Like what?
Alex: Look at the words around it.
Alex: Sometimes, the sentence explains the meaning.
Luna: Oh!
Luna: Like, “She was ecstatic, so happy that she jumped with joy.”
Alex: Perfect!
Alex: “So happy” explains “ecstatic.”
Luna: That makes it easy!
Alex: Step four: Check the dictionary only if necessary.
Luna: So, don’t check every word?
Alex: No, only if it’s really confusing.
Luna: Ah, because guessing helps us remember better!
Alex: Right.
Alex: Step five: Write down useful new words.
Luna: Not every new word?
Alex: No, just the ones you think you’ll use.
Luna: That makes sense!
Alex: Now, let’s talk about using new words in real life.
Luna: Yes!
Luna: Learning is useless if you don’t use it.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Here’s what you can do.
Alex: Step one: Repeat the word out loud.
Luna: Even if it feels weird?
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Saying it helps with memory and pronunciation.
Luna: Good point!
Alex: Step two: Use the word in a sentence.
Luna: Make my own sentence?
Alex: Yes!
Alex: The more personal, the better.
Luna: Like, “I feel ecstatic when I eat ice cream.”
Alex: Perfect.
Alex: Step three: Try using the word in conversation.
Luna: Ooh, that’s scary.
Alex: It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Alex: Just try!
Luna: Okay, I’ll try.
Alex: Step four: Review the word after a few days.
Luna: Oh no, homework.
Alex: It’s just a quick review.
Alex: You can read your sentence again or find the word in another book.
Luna: That’s easy!
Alex: Exactly.
Luna: So, learning from context has clear steps.
Alex: Yes!
Alex: Read smart, find clues, guess first, check later, and practice.
Luna: I love it!
Luna: Up next, we’ll wrap up with a quick summary.

Alex: Alright, let’s wrap things up.
Luna: Yes!
Luna: We covered a lot today.
Alex: Let’s do a quick recap.
Alex: First, we talked about common ways to learn new words.
Luna: Like guessing, using a dictionary, asking someone, and writing words down.
Alex: Then, we shared our learning methods.
Luna: Yours is logical and efficient.
Alex: And yours is emotional and creative.
Luna: Both work!
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Next, we explored unusual ways to learn words.
Luna: Like songs, stories, and memory tricks.
Alex: Then, we explained why learning from context is powerful.
Luna: Because the brain connects words with real experiences!
Alex: Right.
Alex: We also talked about common mistakes.
Luna: Like relying too much on translation or ignoring pronunciation.
Alex: Finally, we gave clear steps for learning from context.
Luna: Read smart, find clues, guess first, check later, and practice!
Alex: Well said.
Alex: So, what should our listeners do now?
Luna: Try it!
Luna: Pick a book, article, or even a movie.
Alex: Pay attention to new words and their context.
Luna: And don’t be afraid to guess the meaning!
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Also, let us know in the comments—
Alex: What’s your favorite way to learn new words?
Luna: Have you tried any of these methods?
Alex: Or do you have a unique method we didn’t mention?
Luna: We’d love to hear from you!
Alex: Thanks for listening to Effortless English Podcasts.
Luna: See you next time!