das Lernen, -

Definition & meaning

Lernen is a verb that primarily refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, or understanding through study, experience, or being taught.

1. Acquiring knowledge: This is the most common usage, referring to the academic or intellectual process of studying a subject (e.g., studying for an exam).
2. Learning by experience: It can also refer to the process of becoming accustomed to something or changing behavior based on past experiences (e.g., learning from mistakes).
3. Training/Skill acquisition: It describes the process of mastering a manual skill or an activity, such as learning to play an instrument or a sport.

Grammar & Word origin

Lernen is a regular (weak) verb. Its principal parts are:

• Infinitive: lernen
• Past tense (Präteritum): lernte
• Past participle (Partizip II): gelernt

The word originates from the Old High German lernēn and is etymologically related to the word Lehre ↗ (teaching/doctrine) and lehren ↗ (to teach). It belongs to the same Germanic root as the English word "learn."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• studieren ↗ (to study, often used for academic subjects)
• sich aneignen ↗ (to acquire knowledge or a skill)
• begreifen ↗ (to grasp or understand)
• üben ↗ (to practice)
• erlernen ↗ (to master a skill through study)

Antonyms:

• lehren ↗ (to teach; the act of imparting knowledge rather than receiving it)
• verlernen ↗ (to forget or lose a skill once learned)
• vergessen ↗ (to forget)