Stopping the inner translator?

Hi everyone! I'm Ava. I'm having a hard time learning new words without translating them back to English in my head. It feels like my brain is taking a long detour every time. Does anyone have tips on how to connect a word directly to a picture or a feeling instead? I want to just 'know' what a word means instantly, like when I see something sharp or hear a quiet forest. Any advice for a beginner like me?