Know and Learn are two fundamental verbs that describe different aspects of knowledge and understanding:
- Know: To be aware of something, to have information, facts, or understanding in your mind. It describes a state of possession of knowledge.
- Learn: To gain knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. It describes the process of acquiring something new.
| Verb | Meaning | Typical Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Know | To have knowledge or awareness | For established knowledge/skill | I know her. (I am aware of her.) |
| Learn | To acquire knowledge or skills | For the process of gaining | I learned to swim last year. |
learn is about the journey, and know is about the destination.
The verb 'know' is used to describe being aware of information or understanding in the present.
'Know' can be used for facts, information, and even familiarity with people.
Differences in Meaning and Usage
Know: used when you already have knowledge, understanding, or awareness about something.
- Expresses a state, not a process.
- Often used with information, facts, skills, and people.
- Common forms: know, knows, knew, known.
Learn: used when you are acquiring or have acquired new knowledge or skills.
- Expresses a process or change.
- Linked to education, experience, and development.
- Common forms: learn, learns, learned/learnt, learned/learnt.
'Know' and 'learn' describe different concepts: having knowledge vs acquiring knowledge.
| Know | Learn |
|---|---|
| to be aware / possess knowledge | to acquire knowledge/skills |
| a state | a process |
'Know' is used to describe a state of having knowledge.
'Learn' is used for acquiring knowledge or skills.
Examples in Sentences
| Know | Learn |
|---|---|
| I know how to drive. | I learned how to drive last year. |
| She knows a lot about history. | He is learning Spanish now. |
| Do you know where the keys are? | They learned to swim as children. |
| We know each other well. | You will learn the truth soon. |
If you already have the skill, use 'know': 'I know how to ride a bike.'
Since she acquired the skill then, use 'learned': 'She learned to play the piano last year.'
Conclusion
Know expresses awareness or possession of knowledge (a state), while learn describes the process of gaining that knowledge or skill (a transition).
- Know: to possess knowledge; use for things/people you are already familiar with.
- Learn: to acquire knowledge; use for the process or when something new is gained.
'Know' describes having knowledge or awareness in the present.
Use 'learn' for acquiring new knowledge or skills, not for what you already know.
'Know' can be used for facts, information, and also for familiarity with people.