erfahren

find out

verb adjective er-FAH-ren Less Common

Also means

experienced

Usage Note

erfahren as a verb means to learn or find out a piece of news (ich habe es gestern erfahren), not to gain practical skill. As an adjective it means 'experienced', e.g. ein erfahrener Arzt. It is inseparable, so the er- never detaches.

Examples

"Ich habe es gerade erst erfahren."

Natural Translation

I just found out about it.

Literal Translation

I have it just only found-out.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

German Separable Verbs: When the Prefix Splits

German separable verbs split in two: the verb stays near the front and the prefix flies to the end. Learn the stress test and where every piece goes.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Greetings by Region: Grüß Gott to Grüezi

German greetings change by region: say Moin in Hamburg, Grüß Gott in Bavaria, Grüezi in Switzerland. A map of every hello and goodbye, plus du vs. Sie.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Du vs. Sie: When to Use Each in German

Use Sie with strangers, elders, and at work; use du with friends, family, kids, and peers. Here's how to pick the right German you every time.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Modal Verbs: Können, Müssen, Wollen and More

German modal verbs put the modal in position 2 and the real verb at the end. Master können, müssen, wollen and the rest with charts and clear examples.

June 5, 2026 5 min read