Studying a language or subject
Use lernen for learning German, vocabulary, grammar, math, an instrument, or any skill you practice over time.
Ich lerne jeden Morgen neue Wörter.
A1DE-EN
verb
lernen
Translation
to learn; to study; to find out
Lernen means to learn or study. It can describe acquiring knowledge, practicing a subject, or finding out something new.
Teacher note
Lernen is the everyday learner verb. Use studieren for studying at university as a course of study, not for every evening of homework.
Usage scenarios
Finding out something new
Lernen can also mean to learn or find out a fact from experience, a conversation, or a mistake.
Aus dem Gespräch habe ich viel gelernt.
Choose the right translation
to learn
Best when you acquire a skill, word, language, or fact.
to study
Natural for homework and exam preparation, but not always for university enrollment.
to find out
Works when lernen means discovering new information from a situation.
Usage guide
Lernen is the everyday verb for acquiring knowledge or practicing for a goal. It covers language learning, school study, exam preparation, and learning from experience.
Studieren is narrower than English study. It usually means studying a subject at university or being enrolled in higher education. For tonight's homework, vocabulary review, or exam preparation, lernen is normally right.
Lernen can take a direct object, such as Deutsch lernen or neue Wörter lernen. It also appears with für when you prepare for a test: für eine Prüfung lernen.
How to study this entry
Write a weekly learning plan in German. Use lernen with time, object, and goal: Ich lerne montags Grammatik, Ich lerne zwanzig Minuten, Ich lerne für die Prüfung. This makes the verb practical.
Create a contrast set with lernen, üben, and studieren. Use one language sentence, one piano or sport sentence, and one university sentence. Each verb should earn its place.
Review your own mistakes with the frame Ich habe gelernt, dass .... Add a real grammar or vocabulary point after dass. This turns errors into German output instead of only correction notes.
When translating study, pause and name the setting. University degree points to studieren; evening revision points to lernen; repeated skill practice may point to üben.
Keep one notebook page for Lern- compounds. Add Lernziel for goal, Lernplan for schedule, Lernzeit for time, and Lernmethode for method. These compounds help you talk about learning itself in German.
For listening practice, notice whether a speaker says Ich lerne Deutsch or Ich studiere Germanistik. The first is language learning; the second is a university subject.
Word forms and word building
The verb lernen is regular: ich lerne, du lernst, er lernt, wir lernen. The past participle is gelernt.
Das Lernen is the noun learning. It is neuter when used as a nominalized verb, as in das Lernen mit Beispielen.
Lern- forms many compounds: Lernplan, Lernziel, Lernmethode, Lernzeit, Lernstoff. These are practical words for study routines.
Meaning boundaries
Lernen vs studieren
Lernen is general learning or studying. Studieren usually means studying at university.
Lernen vs erfahren
Erfahren means to learn or find out information, often news. Lernen often implies process or practice.
Lernen vs üben
Üben means to practice. Lernen can include practice, but also memory and understanding.
Object patterns
Use Deutsch lernen, Wörter lernen, and für eine Prüfung lernen as core chunks.
Memory guide
Tie lernen to your real routine. Sentences about when, what, and how long you learn are more useful than abstract definitions.
Remember that gelernt often appears in reflection: Ich habe gelernt, dass .... This pattern lets you talk about lessons from experience.
Keep studieren for university until context proves otherwise. This one rule prevents many English-influenced sentences.
Patterns that sound natural
Deutsch lernen
to learn German
Ich lerne seit einem Jahr Deutsch.
I have been learning German for one year.
für eine Prüfung lernen
to study for an exam
Wir lernen für die Prüfung.
We are studying for the exam.
etwas Neues lernen
to learn something new
Heute habe ich etwas Neues gelernt.
Today I learned something new.
Common learner trap
Using studieren for every kind of studying.
Use lernen for studying vocabulary, grammar, exams, or skills. Use studieren for being enrolled at university.
Try it yourself
Translate: I am studying German tonight.
Ich lerne heute Abend Deutsch.
Examples
Kinder lernen schnell neue Wörter.
Children learn new words quickly.
Sie lernt jeden Tag zwanzig Minuten.
She studies for twenty minutes every day.
Aus Fehlern kann man viel lernen.
You can learn a lot from mistakes.