Erlernte

Erlernte is a German term that functions as both a past tense form and an adjective rooted in the verb erlernen, meaning to learn or to acquire through instruction. In everyday language it commonly describes skills, knowledge, or behaviors that have been gained through learning rather than being innate. Phrases such as eine erlernte Fähigkeit (a learned ability), eine erlernte Verhaltensweise (a learned behavior), or erlerntes Wissen (learned knowledge) are typical.

Grammatically, erlernte can appear as the attributive form of the past participle erlernt. When used before a noun with a definite article, it takes a weak ending, as in die erlernte Fähigkeit. With an indefinite article or without one, the form remains clearly recognizable as an attributive adjective, for example eine erlernte Fähigkeit. Additionally, erlernte is also the Präteritum (simple past) form of erlernen: ich erlernte, er erlernte, erlernten, etc., used to describe actions completed in the past.

In usage, erlernte is often contrasted with innate or natural abilities. It emphasizes that the capability was acquired through learning rather than being inborn. The related terms gelernt and lernen are closely connected: gelernt can be used more broadly for learned or studied knowledge, while erlernt tends to highlight the process of acquiring a skill or knowledge through practice or instruction.

See also: erlernen, Lernen, Lernen in der Psychologie. Summary: erlernte denotes learned, acquired through education or practice, and serves as both a verb form in the simple past and as an adjective describing acquired abilities or knowledge.