01
kennenlernen
to meet
To meet a person for the first time and get a first impression of them.
example
Ich habe meinen besten Freund in der Schule kennengelernt.
I met my best friend at school.
kennenlernen
to get to know
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Kennenlernen' (to get to know) is a separable verb. The prefix 'kennen' separates from the stem 'lernen' in a main clause and goes to the end of the sentence. In the infinitive and in subordinate clauses, it is written as one word.
EXAMPLE
Ich lerne heute deine Familie kennen.
I am getting to know your family today.
Always with accusative
The verb 'kennenlernen' (to get to know) always needs a direct object in the accusative. You ask: whom or what am I getting to know?
EXAMPLE
Auf der Reise habe ich viele interessante Menschen kennengelernt.
On the trip, I met many interesting people.
Context clue
You can tell whether a person or a thing is meant from the object. 'Jemanden kennenlernen' (to get to know someone) refers to a person, while 'etwas kennenlernen' (to get to know something) refers to places, topics, or new activities.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub möchte ich die lokale Kultur kennenlernen.
On vacation, I want to get to know the local culture.
Compare with
kennenlernen vs treffen
to meet / to hit
'treffen' and 'kennenlernen' can both have to do with an encounter between people. 'treffen' is used when people come together, either by arrangement or by chance. They may already have known each other for a long time. 'kennenlernen' is used when you meet a person for the first time and get a first impression of them. Learners may confuse the words because getting to know someone often happens during a meeting. But you can meet someone without getting to know them for the first time. 'kennenlernen' emphasizes the beginning of an acquaintance.
kennenlernen
Auf der Feier lernt Ali die neuen Nachbarn kennen.
At the party, Ali gets to know the new neighbors.
treffen
Clara trifft ihre Freundin heute nach der Arbeit im Park.
Clara is meeting her friend in the park after work today.
In real life
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