01
lernen
to learn
To acquire new knowledge or new skills through practice, instruction, or experience.
example
Mein Sohn lernt gerade schwimmen.
My son is learning to swim right now.
lernen
to learn
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure with 'lernen'
'Lernen' (to learn) can be used with different structures: with a noun in the accusative, with an infinitive construction with 'zu', or with a subordinate clause.
EXAMPLE
Ich lerne Spanisch.
I am learning Spanish.
Learning skills
To express that someone is learning a skill, a construction with two verbs is often used. The verb for the skill stands as an infinitive at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tochter lernt gerade Fahrrad fahren.
My daughter is learning to ride a bicycle right now.
Fixed preposition
When 'lernen' (to learn) means drawing a lesson, it is very often used with the preposition 'aus' and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte aus seinen Fehlern lernen.
You should learn from your mistakes.
Formal usage
In the meaning 'erfahren' (to find out / learn), 'lernen' is elevated or formal. It is usually found in written language, often with a source introduced by the preposition 'aus'.
EXAMPLE
Aus dem Schreiben lernte er von der Entscheidung des Komitees.
From the letter, he learned of the committee's decision.
Compare with
lernen vs wissen
to know
'wissen' and 'lernen' are connected because learning often leads to knowledge. 'lernen' describes the path: you practice, hear something new, or receive new information. 'wissen' describes the result: the information is already there and you are sure about it. Learners sometimes confuse the words because both have to do with knowledge. In everyday language, you usually say 'ich lerne Deutsch' (I am learning German) or 'ich lerne die Regeln' (I am learning the rules), but 'ich weiß die Antwort' (I know the answer). The formal meaning of 'lernen' in the sense of 'to find out' or 'to hear' is less common and sounds elevated.
lernen
Für den Kurs lernen wir jeden Abend neue Wörter.
For the course, we learn new words every evening.
wissen
Wir wissen jetzt, welche Lebensmittel die Familie für das Wochenende braucht.
We now know which foods the family needs for the weekend.
In real life
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