What is the difference between ‘learn’ and ‘study’?

Is the girl in the picture studying or learning? If you are confused about the verbs learn and study, this is probably because you have similar words in your native language but you use them in different contexts.

So, let’s look at how we use these verbs in English.

learn

In English, learn means to gain knowledge or skill. For example, if you can speak English now, but five years ago you couldn’t speak English, then you can say:

I learnt English in 5 years.

study

In English, study refers to the process of gaining knowledge or skill, especially if you are a student preparing for an exam or test. For example, you can say:

In order to learn English, I had to study really hard.

However, when we speak about the process of gaining a practical skill, for example riding a bike, speaking in public or playing football, we use learn, not study. For example:

I had to learn  how to speak in public.
I‘m learning how to drive.

 

So, is the girl studying or learning?

Well, if we want to say that she is improving her skill or knowledge, we say ‘learning’. However, the picture represents the process of gaining knowledge or skill. So, it it more natural to say:
The girl is studying.