lernen vs erlernen
German word comparison
Listen to lernen
Listen to erlernen
| lernen | erlernen |
|---|---|
/LER-nen/ verb | /ɛɐ̯ˈlɛʁnən (air-LAIR-nen)/ verb |
| to learn; to study (acquire knowledge or a skill) | to acquire or learn a skill or trade, often implying completion or mastery |
How they differ
Erlernen emphasizes acquiring and mastering a particular skill or profession (often to a finished state), whereas lernen can describe partial, ongoing, or more general learning without implying full mastery.
When to use each
When to use lernen: Use lernen when describing ongoing study, beginning to learn something, or general learning activities.
When to use erlernen: Use erlernen when you want to stress that someone has acquired a specific skill or trade (often completely), e.g., er hat einen Beruf erlernt.
Side-by-side examples
- Ich lerne gerade, mit der Nähmaschine umzugehen.
(I'm currently learning how to use the sewing machine.) - Sie hat das Flötespiel in der Musikschule erlernt.
(She learned/mastered playing the flute at the music school.)
Register & nuance: Erlernen is neutral but slightly more formal and is often used in contexts emphasizing acquisition or completion (training certificates, job descriptions).