erwerben

acquire

verb er-VER-ben Less Common

Usage Note

erwerben is a formal verb for acquiring, used for property, skills, and qualifications alike (einen Abschluss erwerben, 'to earn a degree'). It is a strong, inseparable verb: past tense erwarb, participle erworben. In everyday speech you'd more often say kaufen or bekommen.

Examples

"Er hat neue Kenntnisse erworben."

Natural Translation

He has acquired new knowledge.

Literal Translation

He has new knowledge acquired.

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