learn

learn — verb

1. to gain knowledge about a subject or develop the ability to do something through

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A1
釋義

to gain knowledge about a subject or develop the ability to do something through studying, practising, or experiencing it

例句

Iker learned to swim when he was four years old.

learn + to-infinitive

Ada is learning Japanese because her company has an office in Tokyo.

learn + noun for a language

同義詞
  • study

    focuses on the deliberate act of reading and practicing; you can study without learning

  • pick up

    informal; suggests casual, unintentional learning without formal instruction

  • master

    implies reaching a high level of skill, beyond basic learning

反義詞
  • teach

    the opposite action — giving knowledge instead of receiving it

文法句型

learn + noun phrase (e.g. learn Spanish, learn a skill)

learn + to-infinitive (e.g. learn to swim)

learn + how + to-infinitive (e.g. learn how to drive)

learn + about + noun phrase (e.g. learn about history)

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'about' when referring to a general topic (learn about history) and with a direct object for a specific subject or skill (learn French, learn to drive). The object is always what is gained, not the source.

常見錯誤

❌I learned to swimming last summer.
✅I learned to swim last summer.
💡after 'learn to', use the base form of the verb, not the -ing form.
❌I am learning English since two years.
✅I have been learning English for two years.
💡use the present perfect tense for an action that started in the past and continues.

2. to read and say written words over and over until they stay in your mind perfect

2.動詞及物A2
釋義

to read and say written words over and over until they stay in your mind perfectly and you do not need to look at them

例句

Joon learned all the US state capitals by heart for the geography test.

learn + noun phrase + by heart (memorization)

The actors had only three days to learn their lines before the opening night.

learn + noun (lines/script) for performance

同義詞
  • memorize

    more formal; the direct synonym for learning something exactly as written

  • commit to memory

    formal; often used in academic contexts

反義詞
  • forget

    to lose something from memory after having learned it

文法句型

learn + noun phrase (e.g. learn a poem, learn the words)

learn + noun phrase + by heart

用法筆記

Commonly used with 'by heart' to emphasize perfect recall from memory. In British English, 'learn something off by heart' is also frequent. Contrast with sense 1: sense 2 focuses on memorizing exact wording, not gaining general understanding.

常見錯誤

❌I learned the song by memory.
✅I learned the song by heart.
💡'by heart' is the standard fixed expression, not 'by memory'.

3. to come to understand through things that happen to you that a different attitud

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to come to understand through things that happen to you that a different attitude or way of acting is needed

例句

After burning dinner three times, Tuan learned not to leave the kitchen while cooking.

learn + to-infinitive for behavioral change after a negative experience

Adisa learned that asking for help is better than trying to fix everything alone.

learn + that-clause expressing a life insight

同義詞
  • realize

    focuses on the moment of understanding rather than the process of behavioral change

  • come to understand

    emphasizes the gradual nature of the insight

反義詞
  • ignore

    to deliberately not learn from experience or advice

文法句型

learn + that-clause (e.g. learn that honesty matters)

learn + to-infinitive (e.g. learn to be patient)

learn + from + noun phrase (e.g. learn from your mistakes)

用法筆記

Often used with 'from' to indicate the source of the lesson (learn from your mistakes, learn from experience). 'Learn the hard way' is a fixed expression meaning to learn through a difficult or painful experience rather than being told.

常見錯誤

❌The mistake learned me to be careful.
✅The mistake taught me to be careful.
💡'learn' cannot take a person as its object in standard English; use 'teach' for that structure.

4. to hear news or facts about something, so that they become things you now know

4.動詞及物A2
釋義

to hear news or facts about something, so that they become things you now know

例句

Sade learned about the job opening from a friend who works at the same company.

learn + about + noun phrase (receiving news)

We learned yesterday that the school will be closed for repairs next month.

learn + that-clause for news

同義詞
  • find out

    more informal; very common in everyday speech

  • discover

    suggests active searching or a more significant revelation

  • hear

    implies being told by someone; less formal than 'learn'

反義詞
  • conceal

    to keep information hidden so others do not learn about it

文法句型

learn + that-clause (e.g. learn that the meeting is cancelled)

learn + about + noun phrase (e.g. learn about the accident)

learn + of + noun phrase (e.g. learn of his departure, formal)

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not involve study or practice — you simply receive information. 'Learn of' is more formal than 'learn about'. A that-clause is very common in this sense (learn that + clause).

常見錯誤

❌I learned the news by my friend.
✅I learned the news from my friend.
💡use 'from' to indicate the source of information, not 'by'.