Learning of novel semantic relationships via sudden comprehension is associated with a hippocampus-independent network

•We investigated neural correlates of learning from sudden comprehension using fMRI.•We compared sudden comprehension vs. continued incomprehension during problem-solving.•Hippocampus and medial PFC showed higher activation for sudden comprehension.•Medial PFC rather than hippocampal activity predicted successful learning.•Suddenly comprehended novel associations may be encoded directly into semantic memory.