Unless you’ve got an eidetic memory, the only things that will really make them stick long-term are consistent reinforcement either through practical application (e.g., immersion) or spaced repetition (SRS).
I personally take the time to create visual and often highly inappropriate mnemonics for each new vocabulary word I learn, connecting the foreign language’s sound to an English homophone.
The upfront cost is significantly higher, but it pays off since my long-term retention rate significantly improves though you won't see me publishing a shared Anki deck for the public any time soon.
Quick SFW Example: The Russian word for "bed" is "кровать" which sounds a bit like cravat which is a kind of scarf.
Then a sample story might be, "A distinguished and dapper gentleman with a luxuriously thick fur cravat lays down in his bed. He proceeds to unroll the cravat to fashion a comforter blanket to keep him warm before going to sleep."
I personally take the time to create visual and often highly inappropriate mnemonics for each new vocabulary word I learn, connecting the foreign language’s sound to an English homophone.
The upfront cost is significantly higher, but it pays off since my long-term retention rate significantly improves though you won't see me publishing a shared Anki deck for the public any time soon.
Quick SFW Example: The Russian word for "bed" is "кровать" which sounds a bit like cravat which is a kind of scarf.
Then a sample story might be, "A distinguished and dapper gentleman with a luxuriously thick fur cravat lays down in his bed. He proceeds to unroll the cravat to fashion a comforter blanket to keep him warm before going to sleep."