Below are a few guidelines to help you create effective flashcards for language study, for example with
Anki
. Following these conventions consistently will result in a coherent set of cards that are easy to read and understand.1. Use lowercase, no punctuation, for individual words and phrases
Examples
Back: it is recommended
2. Use sentence case, with punctuation, for complete sentences
Examples
Back: What is this?
3. Include articles with correct case and gender
Examples
Back: fear of entering a place; fear of starting something new
4. Separate distinct definitions with a semicolon (;)
Examples
Back: hit; jab; thrust; burst; stroke; push
5. Separate closely linked alternatives with a forward slash (/)
Examples
Back: a risk / surprise lurks behind every corner
6. Show continuations, incomplete thoughts, or idiomatic lead-ins with an ellipsis (...)
Examples
Back: it stands to reason that …
7. Spell out full words
Examples
Back: What is your phone number?
8. Use abbreviations to indicate grammar hints or to tag nuances
Examples
jd. = jemand
jdn. = jemanden
jdm. = jemandem
etw. = etwas
[+Nom.] = nominative
[+Akk.] = accusative
[+Dat.] = dative
[+Gen.] = genitive
Tags:
[ugs.] = umgangssprachlich (colloquial)
[geh.] = gehoben (elevated/formal)
Front: etw. [+Akk.] gewährleisten
Back: to guarantee sth.
Front: jdn. anspornen
Back: to spur sb. on
9. Write idioms in their natural form in the source language; translate them with natural, idiomatic equivalents in the reference language
Examples
Back: to be reasonable; keep things reasonable