German word

erfahren

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈfaːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbfind out

Example

Hast du schon erfahren, was passiert ist?

Have you found out what happened yet?

Illustration for erfahren (find out)

More examples

Gestern habe ich davon erfahren.

Yesterday I found out about it.

Core concept

A fact enters the mind either through personal experience or through information received from someone else.

Common phrases

  • von etwas erfahren

    find out about ___

  • etwas erfahren

    find out ___

Similar words

wissen: To know and retain information or facts.
lernen: To gain knowledge or skills through study and practice.
hören: To receive information or sounds through the ears.
erleben: To undergo an event directly and personally.

Definition in German

durch eigenes Erleben oder durch Mitteilung etwas kennen lernen oder davon wissen

Word origin

German erfahren developed from Old High German irfaran, formed with er- and fahren, and its earlier sense of going through something broadened into coming to know it.

Usage tips

  • As a verb, erfahren often introduces newly learned information, while erleben is usually the more direct choice for undergoing an experience.

Other meanings

  • experienceverb
  • hearverb

Related words

  • Erfahrungexperiencenoun
  • unerfahreninexperiencedadjective

Word lists with this word