Meaning
To acquire proficiency in a new linguistic system.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Sprachgenauigkeit' (linguistic accuracy). They might correct you, but it's usually meant as a helpful gesture to aid your 'Bildung'. In Switzerland, people 'lernen' High German in school as if it were a foreign language, as their native tongue is Swiss German (Schwiizertüütsch). Austrians are often very proud of their specific vocabulary (Austriacisms). Learning these nuances is seen as a sign of true integration. The 'DaF' (Deutsch als Fremdsprache) community is huge. There are specific exams like the TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat that formalize the process of 'eine {die|f} Sprache lernen'.
Use 'seit'
Always use 'seit' with the present tense to say how long you've been learning. 'Ich lerne seit einem Jahr.'
Avoid 'studieren'
Unless you are in a lecture hall at a university, stick to 'lernen'.
Meaning
To acquire proficiency in a new linguistic system.
Use 'seit'
Always use 'seit' with the present tense to say how long you've been learning. 'Ich lerne seit einem Jahr.'
Avoid 'studieren'
Unless you are in a lecture hall at a university, stick to 'lernen'.
Accept corrections
If a German corrects your grammar while you are learning, say 'Danke!'—they are trying to help you improve.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'lernen'.
Ich ___ seit einem Jahr Deutsch.
The first person singular form of 'lernen' is 'lerne'.
Which sentence is correct for a hobbyist?
How do you say 'I am learning German'?
'Lernen' is for general study; 'studieren' is for university majors.
Match the German phrase with the English translation.
Match the following:
These are the standard present tense conjugations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum ___ du Deutsch? B: Ich möchte in Berlin arbeiten.
The question is addressed to 'du', so the verb must be 'lernst'.
Match the phrase to the context.
Where would you say 'Ich habe in der Schule Französisch gelernt'?
Talking about your educational background is common in interviews.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Lernen vs. Studieren
Practice Bank
5 exercisesIch ___ seit einem Jahr Deutsch.
The first person singular form of 'lernen' is 'lerne'.
How do you say 'I am learning German'?
'Lernen' is for general study; 'studieren' is for university majors.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard present tense conjugations.
A: Warum ___ du Deutsch? B: Ich möchte in Berlin arbeiten.
The question is addressed to 'du', so the verb must be 'lernst'.
Where would you say 'Ich habe in der Schule Französisch gelernt'?
Talking about your educational background is common in interviews.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes! It is very common to say 'Ich lerne Java' or 'Ich lerne Python'.
Yes, '{die|f} Sprache' is always feminine. In the accusative, it stays 'eine {die|f} Sprache'.
'Lernen' is the process, while 'erlernen' often implies successfully completing the learning of a specific skill.
You can say 'Ich lerne Deutsch im Selbststudium' or 'Ich habe mir Deutsch selbst beigebracht'.
When referring to the language as a subject, the article is usually omitted. 'Ich lerne Deutsch.'
No, to get to know a person is 'jemanden kennenlernen'.
Yes, it follows the standard pattern for weak verbs in all tenses.
It means 'a feeling for the language'—something you develop after you 'eine {die|f} Sprache lernen' for a long time.
Use 'eine {die|f} Sprache' for one, and 'Sprachen' (plural) for multiple.
It depends on the level, but for A1, it usually takes about 60-100 hours of 'lernen'.
No, that sounds unnatural. Just say 'Ich lerne Deutsch' or 'Ich verbessere mein Deutsch'.
'Vergessen' (to forget) or 'lehren' (to teach).
Yes, it is the standard word across all German-speaking regions.
Yes, it can be used for any system of communication.
Related Phrases
Sprachkenntnisse erwerben
formalTo acquire language skills
sich eine {die|f} Sprache aneignen
similarTo pick up a language
eine {die|f} Sprache beherrschen
builds onTo master a language
eine {die|f} Sprache auffrischen
specialized formTo brush up on a language
zweisprachig aufwachsen
contrastTo grow up bilingual
