Recall English

When you read English words and their translations, it provides the illusion that they are also in your brain. But they are not. Because it can be easier to look at translations instead of recalling, people persist in their illusion - studying in a far less productive way.

This, indeed, is why just wanting to learn the words, and spending a lot of time with them, does not guarantee you will actually learn them.

Using recall - mental retrieval, rather than passive reading will make your study time more focused and effective.