kennenlernen

Kennenlernen is a German verb meaning to get to know someone or to meet someone for the first time. It can also refer to becoming acquainted with a place, a culture, or an idea. The verb expresses the process of becoming familiar with another person or subject through interaction and exposure.

Etymology and forms: Kennenlernen is formed from kennen (to know) and lernen (to learn). It is commonly used as a separable verb in contexts like ich lerne ihn kennen, where the prefix kennen moves to the end in finite clauses. In perfect constructions, the common form is ich habe ihn kennengelernt. Since the orthography reform, both spellings kennenzlernen as a single word and kennen lernen as two words are accepted, with the one-word form increasingly prevalent in contemporary writing.

Usage: The verb is typically transitive, taking a direct object referring to the person or thing being known. It is used for initial introductions between people, as in Ich möchte dich kennenlernen, and for the act of becoming acquainted in general, such as Wir lernen uns kennen. The reflexive form sich kennenlernen is also used when two people are getting to know each other, as in Wir haben uns kennengelernt.

Noun form and related terms: The related noun Kennenlernen denotes the act or process of getting to know someone, often used in phrases like Das Kennenlernen der Stadt. The noun emphasizes the event or experience of introduction rather than the action itself.

In usage, kennenlernen is versatile, appearing in personal introductions, dating contexts, and broader experiences of becoming acquainted with people, places, or cultures.