lernen vs studieren
German word comparison
Listen to lernen
Listen to studieren
| lernen | studieren |
|---|---|
LER-nen verb | ʃtuˈdiːrən (shtoo-DEE-ren) verb |
| to learn; to study or acquire knowledge or a skill | to study (usually at university); to study a subject in depth |
How they differ
Lernen is a general verb for acquiring knowledge or skills; studieren specifically implies systematic, often academic study (typically at a university) and stresses depth and formal instruction rather than casual or practical learning.
When to use each
When to use lernen: Prefer lernen when you mean learning in general, for school, skills, or everyday study situations.
When to use studieren: Use studieren when referring to university studies or to studying a subject in a formal, academic context.
Side-by-side examples
- Ich muss für die Prüfung lernen.
(I have to study for the exam.) - Sie studiert Chemie an der Universität.
(She is studying chemistry at the university.)
Register & nuance: studieren is neutral but more specific and slightly more formal; it's the standard verb for higher-education contexts.