MethodMay 25, 20265 min read

Why learning vocabulary with SRS sticks longer

SRS (spaced repetition) is the secret weapon that lets you remember thousands of words without rote cramming.

Ever memorized 50 words in one evening and forgotten almost all of them three days later? That's because the brain forgets along Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve.

What is SRS?

SRS (Spaced Repetition System) schedules each word for review right before you're about to forget it. Answer correctly → the interval stretches out (1 day → 3 days → 1 week → 1 month...). Answer wrong → that word comes back sooner.

Why it works

Every "almost forgot it, then recalled it" moment strengthens memory far more than re-reading something you still remember clearly. You spend effort exactly on the hard words and don't waste time on the ones you already know.

Using SRS the right way

  • Review every day, even just 5 minutes — so the queue doesn't pile up.
  • Be honest when you grade yourself: if you had to think hard, count it as not learned.
  • Learn words inside example sentences, not bare.

In Hanbeego, every word you learn through flashcards and quizzes automatically enters the SRS system — your daily "Review" is exactly that smart queue.

Hanbeego Team

Written by the Hanbeego team — learn Chinese effectively, 15 minutes a day.

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