leren
/ˈleːrə(n)/
The English phrase 'learn' is translated into Dutch as leren.
The word leren is the standard Dutch term for 'to learn'. Depending on the context and the relationship between the subject and the object, it can also mean 'to teach'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular form is leer, the third-person singular form is leert and the past participle is geleerd.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈleːrə(n)/
Did you know?
- The word leren is a homonym that also means 'leather'. If you see leren describing a jacket or a bag, it is not talking about education but about the material.
- The Dutch verb leren shares the same Proto-Germanic root as the English word 'lore', which refers to traditional knowledge or learning.
- Because leren can mean both 'to learn' and 'to teach', a Dutch person might say Ik leer hem Nederlands to mean either 'I am learning Dutch with him' or 'I am teaching him Dutch'.
Examples in context
- Ik wil Nederlands lerenI want to learn Dutch
- Ik wil bijleren over geschiedenisI want to learn more about history
- Waar kan ik gitaar leren spelen?Where can I learn to play the guitar?
- Hoe kan ik snel Nederlands opsnappen?How can I quickly pick up Dutch?
- Wij moeten dit snel leren.We must learn this quickly.
- Hij gaat Nederlands leren op school.He is going to learn Dutch at school.
Example conversation
Daan and Emma are talking about their hobbies.
- DaanWat wil jij dit jaar leren?What do you want to learn this year?
- EmmaIk wil graag Italiaans leren.I would like to learn Italian.
- DaanDat is een heel leuk idee.That is a very nice idea.
- EmmaWil je het samen met mij leren?Do you want to learn it together with me?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry leren, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries leren, CC BY-SA 4.0.
