to learn / experience
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to learn
To receive information or knowledge about something, usually through a message or news from others.
Ich habe erst heute erfahren, dass das Büro morgen geschlossen bleibt.
I only learned today that the office will be closed tomorrow.
to experience
To personally experience, go through, or feel something, often referring to feelings, states, or blows of fate.
In ihrer Kindheit hat sie viel Unterstützung erfahren.
In her childhood, she experienced a lot of support.
The verb 'erfahren' (to learn / experience) is inseparable. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'fahren' in all sentence forms and tenses and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Sie erfuhr die Neuigkeiten von ihrer Kollegin.
She learned the news from her colleague.
The word is made up of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'fahren' (to drive / travel). The prefix 'er-' often indicates that a state is reached through an action. You can remember it like this: you 'travel through' an experience or a piece of information and thus arrive at new knowledge.
Durch seine Reisen hat er viel über andere Kulturen erfahren.
Through his travels, he learned a lot about other cultures.
When 'erfahren' means to receive information, it is often followed by a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or a question word. When it means 'erleben' (to experience), it usually appears with a noun in the accusative that describes a feeling or state.
Wir haben erfahren, dass der Flug Verspätung hat.
We learned that the flight is delayed.
To indicate the source of the information, the prepositions 'von' with the dative are typically used for people, and 'aus' with the dative for media.
Ich habe von einem Freund erfahren, dass die Wohnung frei ist.
I learned from a friend that the apartment is available.
In the meaning 'erleben' (to experience), 'erfahren' is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical examples are: Unterstützung erfahren (to receive/experience support), eine Enttäuschung erfahren (to experience disappointment), Anerkennung erfahren (to receive recognition), or eine Verbesserung erfahren (to undergo an improvement).
Nach der Kritik hat sein Projekt nun endlich Anerkennung erfahren.
After the criticism, his project has finally received recognition.
The use of 'erfahren' in the sense of 'erleben' (to experience) is often typical of written language or a more formal style. It sounds more elevated than other, more everyday expressions.
Die Region hat durch die neuen Fabriken einen wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung erfahren.
The region has experienced an economic upswing thanks to the new factories.
to learn
Lernen and erfahren can both mean receiving new information through a message. Erfahren is the usual choice for this meaning. Lernen is formal or elevated in precisely this meaning and should not be confused with the usual acquisition of knowledge.
Aus der Nachricht erfuhr sie, dass ihr Antrag genehmigt worden war.
From the message, she learned that her application had been approved.
Aus dem offiziellen Schreiben lernte sie, dass ihr Antrag genehmigt worden war.
From the official letter, she learned that her application had been approved.
