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Learning by heart: meaning, definitions and examples

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learning by heart

[ ˈlərnɪŋ baɪ hɑːrt ]

Phrase

^{Context #1 | Phrase}

education

To memorize something thoroughly.

Synonyms

commit to memory, learn by rote, memorize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
learning by heart	Ideal for situations where precise recall is needed, often used for poems, speeches, or important texts. He spent hours learning the poem by heart to recite it perfectly at the competition
memorize	Common in everyday situations where you need to remember information temporarily or permanently, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. He had to memorize the phone number because he didn't have his phone with him
commit to memory	Used in formal or serious contexts where you need to remember information accurately over a long period. She committed all the historical dates to memory for the upcoming exam
learn by rote	Typically used when referring to repetitive learning methods that may not involve understanding, often carries a negative connotation. The students were tired of learning mathematical formulas by rote, without knowing how to apply them

Examples of usage

He learned the poem by heart for the recitation competition.
She knew all the formulas by heart for the exam.
I had to learn all the lines by heart for the play.
They recited the pledge by heart during the ceremony.
We practiced singing the song by heart until we knew it perfectly.

Translations

Translations of the word "learning by heart" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aprender de cor

🇮🇳 हृदय से सीखना

🇩🇪 auswendig lernen

🇮🇩 menghafal

🇺🇦 вивчати напам'ять

🇵🇱 uczyć się na pamięć

🇯🇵 暗記する (あんきする)

🇫🇷 apprendre par cœur

🇪🇸 aprender de memoria

🇹🇷 ezberlemek

🇰🇷 암기하다 (amgihada)

🇸🇦 حفظ عن ظهر قلب (hifz an zahr qalb)

🇨🇿 učit se nazpaměť

🇸🇰 učiť sa naspamäť

🇨🇳 记住 (jì zhù)

🇸🇮 učiti se na pamet

🇮🇸 læra utan að kunna

🇰🇿 жаттау

🇬🇪 გულისხმიერი სწავლა (gulisxmieris sts'avla)

🇦🇿 əzbərləmək

🇲🇽 aprender de memoria

Etymology

The phrase 'learning by heart' originated from the idea that knowledge is stored in the heart, the center of emotions and memory in ancient times. It was believed that by learning something 'by heart,' one could internalize and remember it deeply. Over time, the expression has evolved to represent the act of memorizing something thoroughly and being able to recall it from memory without hesitation.