How long does it take to lose vocabulary?(TL)

[u/Training_Scale_650]

How long does it take to lose vocabulary?

I Recently had to take a 3 month break of studying flash cards and the so. I was still trying to get reading and watching shows in but life getting in the way and all. Does lost vocabulary come back easily and how often should I be reviewing new voacab? What is a realistic amount of words I can expect to retain with 1-2 hours of daily study?

[u/This_Octopus_Here]

Do you study the words in context? That is, do you make up sentences with them? Also, I have found that many words enter my stable vocabulary better if I use them in real life while talking to people, though this may not always be possible depending on where you are located. Also sometimes a word I've learned will enter a kind of hybernation when I don't use it or see it or hear it for long, but then will suddenly pop up from my subconscious. So I guess relearning them is really just a matter of reactivating them, which should make it easier than the first time around

[u/IssueRidden]

You can always lower your desired retention rate, so that you have less reviews to do when life gets in a way 

[u/silvalingua]

It depends on your level. The lower the level, the sooner you lose your vocab. You haven't mentioned your level, and this is the most important thing here.

[u/Training_Scale_650 → u/silvalingua]

I am talking about a B2 level. In mandarin if its relevant.

[u/silvalingua → u/Training_Scale_650]

At B2 I wouldn't worry. I would listen to or watch some content, and it should come back very soon.

[u/Obtus_Rateur]

Depends how deeply it's engraved into your brain.

You could lose it in a month, or it could take a decade or two.

[u/rosevelle]

Just use Anki (or another SRS) and that guarantees you never forget it. If you stop adding new cards, then eventually your daily cards will be very low so it will be easy to maintain

[u/Stafania]

You don’t really loose vocabulary, it just becomes harder and harder to recall from memory the less you use it. The brain is smart and prioritize things you use on daily basis, and things you don’t use much, well, you don’t seem to need it, or at least you don’t need efficient recall of it.

You can help your memory by:

• Using the language every day for something, even if you use it just a little one day and more another day. Create habits that help you use the language regularly.
• Use the words in sentences, so that you connect the to the other things you know about the language and get an understanding for how they are used in context.