Kubernetes is a container orchestration system that automates deployment and scaling processes for containers. It was initially unfamiliar to the author, who had heard people talk about it but didn't understand what it was. The author learned Kubernetes by following tutorials, reading books, and asking questions to experts in their organization. They found that understanding Kubernetes was an accessible concept once they grasped its role in automating manual processes for container deployment and scaling. With the help of tools like Minikube and resources from Kelsey Hightower, the author gained a solid foundation in Kubernetes and began to appreciate its flexibility and efficiency benefits.