Meaning and Usage
The verb hören in German means to hear. It refers to the act of perceiving sound with the ears, and it is a common verb used in various contexts involving auditory perception or listening.
Verb Type
Hören is a regular verb in German, which means it follows the standard conjugation patterns in the present tense and other grammatical forms, making it easier for learners to conjugate compared to irregular verbs.
Present Tense Conjugation
The present tense conjugation of hören aligns with typical regular verb endings for German verbs ending in "-en." It changes according to the subject pronoun.
| German Pronoun | German Conjugation | English Conjugation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | höre | I hear | Ich höre Musik. | I hear music. |
| du | hörst | you hear (singular) | Du hörst den Lehrer. | You hear the teacher. |
| er/sie/es | hört | he/she/it hears | Er hört die Vögel im Wald. | He hears the birds in the forest. |
| wir | hören | we hear | Wir hören den Regen. | We hear the rain. |
| ihr | hört | you hear (plural) | Ihr hört das Radio. | You hear the radio. |
| sie/Sie | hören | they/you hear (formal) | Sie hören die Nachrichten. | They hear the news. |
Past Tense Forms
In the simple past, hören is conjugated regularly using the stem hör- with the appropriate endings. The past participle is gehört, and the verb is conjugated with haben in perfect tenses.
| Tense | German Form | English Equivalent | Example in German | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple past | hörte | heard | Ich hörte ein Geräusch. | I heard a noise. |
| Present perfect | habe gehört | have heard | Wir haben die Musik gehört. | We have heard the music. |
Common Expressions with Hören
Hören is frequently used in idiomatic expressions and everyday phrases such as:
- auf jemanden hören – to listen to someone
- hören und sehen verlieren – to be shocked or stunned
- hören, was man hören will – to hear what one wants to hear
Understanding these phrases helps in grasping how the verb is used in conversational German.
Summary
Hören is a regular verb essential for expressing listening or hearing in German. Its straightforward conjugation and frequent usage make it an important verb for learners to master early.
