German Conversation · Level 52
74 words
German word
erwerben
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈvɛʁbn̩/
Meaning
- verbacquire
Example
Sie erwirbt viel Erfahrung im neuen Job.
She is gaining a lot of experience in her new job.
More examples
Im Kurs kann man Grundkenntnisse erwerben.
In the course, you can acquire basic knowledge.
Core concept
A person brings a possession, skill, or qualification into lasting ownership through effort, study, or payment.
Common phrases
Grundkenntnisse erwerben
acquire basic knowledge
Sprachkenntnisse erwerben
acquire language skills
Similar words
lernen: Gain knowledge or skills through study and practice.
sammeln: Build up experience or information over time.
erhalten: Receive something formally from another person or institution.
Definition in German
etwas durch eigene Anstrengung, durch Lernen oder durch Kauf in Besitz nehmen oder erreichen
Word origin
Erwerben combines the prefix er- with werben, whose older Germanic senses included striving or seeking to obtain, and it developed the meaning of gaining something.
Usage tips
- Erwerben is more formal than everyday bekommen and commonly describes acquiring knowledge, experience, rights, property, or qualifications.