leerden

Leerden is the simple past tense form of the Dutch verb leren, meaning to learn. It is used to describe learning actions that took place in the past, and it often appears with plural subjects or in more formal or written contexts. In English, the equivalent is “learned” or “learnt” depending on dialect.

Conjugation and usage notes: The verb leren is regular in the past tense. The forms are ik leerde, jij leerde, hij/zij leerde; wij leerden, jullie leerden, zij leerden. The past participle is geleerd, which combines with have or had in compound tenses (gerund forms are bereft of the past tense marker in those cases). For example: Ik heb geleerd Nederlands te spreken. Zij leerden veel tijdens de cursus. In contrast, the simple past is common in formal writing or historical narration, while spoken Dutch often uses the present perfect (hebben geleerd) to express past learning.

Examples:

- Wij leerden gisteren hoe je een recept moet volgen.

- Zij leerden lezen toen ze nog jong waren.

- Jullie leerden snel van de fouten uit de eerste proef.

Relation to leren: Leerden is one of several past-tense forms of leren; the verb itself covers the broader meaning “to learn”, including acquiring knowledge or skills through study, practice, or experience. In compound tenses, learned actions are typically expressed with geleerd, while the simple past provides narrative shading in more formal passages.