The German verb "lernen" means "to learn" in English. It is a regular verb. Below you'll find the complete conjugation tables for "lernen" across all 7 tenses. New to German verbs? Start with the German verb guide.
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How to Conjugate "lernen" in the Present Tense
Präsens Actions happening now or regularly| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | lerne |
| du | you (informal) | lernst |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | lernt |
| wir | we | lernen |
| ihr | you all (informal) | lernt |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | lernen |
Sie lernt für die Prüfung morgen.
She learns for the exam tomorrow.
How to Conjugate "lernen" in the Simple Past Tense
Präteritum Completed actions in the past (written/formal)| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | lernte |
| du | you (informal) | lerntest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | lernte |
| wir | we | lernten |
| ihr | you all (informal) | lerntet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | lernten |
Sie lernte viel über die Geschichte.
She learned a lot about history.
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Perfekt Completed actions (spoken German)| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | habe gelernt |
| du | you (informal) | hast gelernt |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | hat gelernt |
| wir | we | haben gelernt |
| ihr | you all (informal) | habt gelernt |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | haben gelernt |
Er hat Klavier gelernt.
He learned the piano.
How to Conjugate "lernen" in the Past Perfect Tense
Plusquamperfekt Actions completed before another past action| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | hatte gelernt |
| du | you (informal) | hattest gelernt |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | hatte gelernt |
| wir | we | hatten gelernt |
| ihr | you all (informal) | hattet gelernt |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | hatten gelernt |
Sie hatte Klavier gelernt.
She had learned piano.
How to Conjugate "lernen" in the Future Tense
Futur I Actions that will happen| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | werde lernen |
| du | you (informal) | wirst lernen |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | wird lernen |
| wir | we | werden lernen |
| ihr | you all (informal) | werdet lernen |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | werden lernen |
Er wird kochen lernen.
He will learn to cook.
How to Conjugate "lernen" in the Subjunctive I Tense
Konjunktiv I Indirect speech and formal requests| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | lerne |
| du | you (informal) | lernest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | lerne |
| wir | we | lernen |
| ihr | you all (informal) | lernet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | lernen |
Er sagt, er lerne die Sprache.
He says he learns the language.
How to Conjugate "lernen" in the Subjunctive II Tense
Konjunktiv II Hypothetical situations and polite requests| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | lernte |
| du | you (informal) | lerntest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | lernte |
| wir | we | lernten |
| ihr | you all (informal) | lerntet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | lernten |
Er lernte gern Musik.
He would like to learn music.
Frequently Asked Questions About "lernen"
Is "lernen" regular or irregular in German?
"Lernen" is a regular German verb that follows standard conjugation patterns for its verb group.
What does "lernen" mean in English?
The German verb "lernen" means "to learn" in English.
How do you conjugate "lernen" in the present tense?
In the present tense (Präsens): ich → lerne, du → lernst, er/sie/es → lernt, wir → lernen, ihr → lernt, sie/Sie → lernen.
How many tenses does "lernen" have in German?
"Lernen" is conjugated across 7 tenses in German: Present, Simple Past, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future, Subjunctive I, Subjunctive II.
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