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What do you think of when you see a character?

I found it easier to associate the English translation with the character. I've found it so hard to associate the right pinyin with the character in fact sometimes I feel like I am undoing my learning of what the character means but I'm keeping on trying!

that differs. sometimes it's easyer to associate the english word, sometimes the pinyin. but the most difficult thing is to remember the numbers after the pinyin.

Agreed, I'm finding that for the characters I'm most comfortable with, I first think of the Mandarin. I wonder if it's better to separate the flash cards, one set for English and one for Mandarin with the same characters, or just do a ton of repetition with the combined set and hope it sticks.

I think they're totally separate things to acquire. I tend to try to say the mandarin when I see the character, and try to remember the meaning when I hear or say the sound (or pinyin).