The Feynman Technique: Learn Any Subject in 4 Simple Steps

Introduction

Have you ever thought you understood something… until you had to explain it to someone else?
That’s exactly the challenge that physicist Richard Feynman solved with his famous learning method.

👉The Feynman Technique is a simple yet powerful strategy that helps you truly understand any subject instead of just memorizing it.

In this article, you’ll discover the 4 steps of the Feynman Technique and how you can apply them today to learn faster and deeper.

Step 1: Choose Your Topic and Write It Down

Start with a blank sheet of paper (or a digital document) and write down the topic you want to learn.

📌Example: Photosynthesis or German cases.

Then, write down everything you know about it, as if you were going to explain it to a complete beginner.

Step 2: Explain It in Simple Words

Here’s the key: If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t really understand it.

Pretend you’re teaching the concept to a 12-year-old. Use short sentences, everyday words, and concrete examples.

📌 Example (too complex): “Photosynthesis is a biochemical process in which light energy is converted into chemical energy.”
📌 Example (clear): “Plants make their food using sunlight.”

Step 3: Identify the Gaps in Your Knowledge

When you get stuck or your explanation feels unclear, that’s a red flag: you’ve found a gap in your understanding.

👉 Go back to your books, notes, or reliable sources to fill in those gaps, then rewrite your explanation.

⚡ Tip: These gaps are exactly what was preventing you from fully mastering the subject.

Step 4: Simplify and Use Analogies

Finally, take your explanation and make it even simpler. Use analogies or comparisons to make the concept easy to grasp.

📌 Example:
“Photosynthesis is like a green factory: the leaves are solar panels that capture sunlight and turn it into energy.”

Conclusion

The Feynman Technique is one of the most powerful learning tools out there. It transforms fragile knowledge into solid understanding.

Quick summary of the 4 steps:

1. Choose your topic and write it down

2. Explain it in simple words

3. Identify the gaps in your knowledge

4. Simplify and use analogies

✨ By applying this method, you’ll learn faster, deeper, and with greater confidence.