learn vs learn about

Status
Not open for further replies.

kazamn

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Is there any difference between "learn" and "learn about"?

for example, I'm learning fashion vs I'm learning about fashion.
Thank you very much for your time.
 

TheParser

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Is there any difference between "learn" and "learn about"?

for example, I'm learning fashion vs I'm learning about fashion.
Thank you very much for your time.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, Kazamn.

I am learning Japanese. = I am studying the language. I want to speak,

read, and write the language.


I am learning about Japanese. = I am becoming informed about the

features of the language. For example, that it has more than one

alphabet and that it uses Chinese characters, too.

Have a nice day!
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Is there any difference between "learn" and "learn about"?

for example, I'm learning fashion vs I'm learning about fashion.
Thank you very much for your time.

We wouldn't say "I'm learning fashion". If you were taking a formal course then you would say "I'm studying fashion".

"I'm learning about fashion" could be formal or informal. You might simply be looking at information in magazines and on the TV and internet to learn about what is currently fashionable and what isn't.

Learning a new language is one of the few examples of "I'm learning" when we are actually referring to formal studies.

Q - What are you doing at college on Tuesday nights?
A - I'm learning Spanish.

Q - What are you doing at college on Wednesday nights?
A - I'm studying history.

Q - What are you doing at college on Saturday mornings?
A - I'm studying car maintenance.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top