All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| lernen | Learn; study material | Vocabulary, an exam, a new ability | No separable prefix; etwas lernen; lernen + infinitive |
| erlernen | Acquire through learning | A language, craft, technique or profession | Inseparable er-; etwas erlernen; hat erlernt |
| studieren | Study at university; examine closely | A degree subject or careful inspection | No separable prefix; etwas studieren; hat studiert |
lernen
Meaning and usage: Choose this for the learning process itself: revising vocabulary, preparing for an exam or learning to do something. University students also lernen when they revise. It can describe vocational learning, so it is not limited to school.
Grammar: Use an accusative subject matter: eine Sprache lernen. Lernen can stand alone or combine with an infinitive, such as lesen lernen. With für + accusative, name the goal: für die Prüfung lernen. Perfect: hat gelernt.
Heute lerne ich die Wörter aus der letzten Lektion.
Today I'm studying the words from the last lesson.
Meine Tochter lernt gerade schwimmen.
My daughter is learning to swim at the moment.
erlernen
Meaning and usage: This places more emphasis on acquiring a competence. It often sounds more formal than lernen and suits descriptions of a profession or skill. It does not automatically mean someone has reached expert proficiency.
Grammar: The prefix er- stays attached. Use an accusative object: einen Beruf oder eine Technik erlernen. Forms: erlernt, erlernte, hat erlernt.
In der Ausbildung erlernt er verschiedene Schweißtechniken.
During his training, he learns various welding techniques.
studieren
Meaning and usage: A person studying a degree subject studiert. Outside university contexts, a document, map or person's behavior can be carefully studied. This wider meaning prevents a rigid 'studieren always means university' rule.
Grammar: A degree subject can be an accusative object without an article: Medizin studieren. University location uses an + dative. The verb also stands alone. Its -ieren ending gives studiert, not gestudiert.
Sie studiert Informatik und lernt abends für ihre Prüfungen.
She studies computer science and revises for her exams in the evenings.
Vor dem Gespräch studiere ich die Unterlagen.
Before the discussion, I study the documents carefully.
Overlap and context
Deutsch lernen and Deutsch erlernen both work; the second highlights acquisition and often has a more formal tone. Deutsch studieren can mean academic study of German, so it may imply a different activity from learning the language for daily life.
Common mistakes
- Do not use studieren as the default translation of every English 'study'.
- Do not assume erlernen guarantees complete mastery; context and tense still matter.
Memory aid: Lernen is the process; erlernen highlights acquisition; studieren often names a degree or close examination.
Try it
You are revising vocabulary for tomorrow, not taking a degree. Complete: Ich ___ für den Test.
Show the answer
lerne
Lernen describes exam preparation; für introduces the goal of studying.