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
lernen
to learn
To draw a lesson for the future from an experience, especially from a mistake.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe gelernt, nicht jedem blind zu vertrauen.
I have learned not to trust everyone blindly.
lernen
to learn / hear
To find out a piece of information or news; to become aware of something. This use is formal or elevated.
EXAMPLE
Aus der Zeitung lernte ich von den neuen politischen Entwicklungen.
From the newspaper, I learned of the new political developments.
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 erfahren
to learn / experience
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.
lernen
Aus dem offiziellen Schreiben lernte sie, dass ihr Antrag genehmigt worden war.
From the official letter, she learned that her application had been approved.
erfahren
Aus der Nachricht erfuhr sie, dass ihr Antrag genehmigt worden war.
From the message, she learned that her application had been approved.
In real life
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