Hey guys,

One component of my new MvJ Method is replacing traditional bilingual definitions with what I call conceptual definitions.

Conceptual Definitions explain the concept that a target word expresses without relying on direct translations from your native language. They’re generally generated using a large language model, like ChatGPT.

For example, on Jsho.org, the definition listed for “こだわり” is:

obsession; fixation; hangup; determination; fastidiousness; pickiness about (trait, style, etc.)

None of these really get at the true nuance of the word.

On the other hand, a conceptual definition might look something like this:

Carefully insisting on certain details to ensure they align with personal ideals.

Traditional bilingual dictionaries don’t actually explain what target words mean. Instead, they generally just list a bunch of English words that have a similar meaning. In this sense, traditional bilingual dictionaries are closer to thesauruses than actual dictionaries.

Most target language words won’t have a perfect analogue in your native language. Every word has subtlety and nuance unique to that language. Because of this, associating a target language word with a similar (but ultimately slightly different) native language word can actually block you from acquiring the full nuance of the target word.

This is the primary reason that monolingual dictionaries have long been valued in the language learning community: they allow you to learn target language words without making false associations between the target language and your native language.

Conceptual definitions are essentially monolingual definitions in English. They allow you to reap the benefits of using the monolingual dictionary, but right from day one.

Here’s a prompt you can use to generate conceptual definitions yourself:

I will give you a Japanese text and a word from that text. Explain what the word means in English (not the sentence, the word).

Don’t just give an English translation; actually explain what the word means in a similar manner to how the word would be explained in a Japanese-to-Japanese dictionary for native Japanese speakers, but in English. Avoid using direct English equivalents of the word. Explain 100% in English, without using any Japanese.

If there are multiple meanings, only explain the "core meaning" of the word (not just what the word means in this particular sentence).

Since the result will be fed directly to a text-to-speech program, so don't repeat the word itself, and skip introductory comments like "I will explain X". Just start explaining straight away.

Explain the entire thing in one sentence. Try to make the explanation as intuitive as possible, using plain language. Keep the explanation short (around 15 words max, but less if that isn't needed).

Hope that was helpful,

–Matt

PS, my buddy Ray created an Anki add-on that allows you to bulk generate these conceptual definitions inside of Anki, and released it inside Immersion Dojo.