learn
To gain knowledge or skill by studying, experience, or being taught.
Etymology
From Old English leornian (to learn, to study), from Proto-Germanic *liznōną. The PIE origin is debated — it may derive from *leys- (track, furrow), suggesting 'to follow a track' and hence 'to gain knowledge by following.' Some scholars connect it to PIE *les- (to collect, to pick up). The exact etymology remains uncertain.
The Journey: *leys- → learn
*leys- (disputed)
*liznōną
leornian
learn
Cognates Across Languages
These words in other languages descend from the same PIE root *leys-. They are not borrowings but independent inheritances from a common ancestor.
| Language | Word |
|---|---|
| Dutch | leren — to learn |
| German | lernen — to learn |
| Gothic | lais — I know |
| Old High German | lernēn — to learn |
Did You Know?
In some English dialects, learn was historically used to mean 'teach' as well ('I'll learn you!'), preserving an older ambiguity. German lehren (to teach) and lernen (to learn) are both from the same Germanic base.