The German verbs hören and zuhören are related to the sense of hearing but differ in meaning and usage. Hören means “to hear” and refers to the passive perception of sound, while zuhören means “to listen” and implies active, focused attention.
Hören
Hören is a general verb meaning “to hear.” It describes the passive ability to perceive sounds — whether you want to or not. It’s similar to the English “hear.”
Usage
- Use hören when simply noting that a sound or voice is perceivable.
- Can be used with objects in the accusative case (e.g., Ich höre Musik).
- Can also appear with man for impersonal statements (e.g., Man hört viel Lärm).
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich höre Musik. | I hear music. |
| Hörst du das? | Do you hear that? |
| Man hört die Vögel im Garten. | One hears the birds in the garden. |
Which case does the object take when using 'zuhören'?
dative
'zuhören' always takes a dative object because you listen to someone or something attentively.
Zuhören
Zuhören means “to listen (to something/someone).” It implies paying active attention to what is being said or played. You are not just hearing sounds; you are focusing on them.
Usage
- Use zuhören when someone intentionally directs their attention to listen.
- It requires the dative case (e.g., Ich höre dem Lehrer zu).
- Often used in contexts like conversations, lectures, or music where focused listening is expected.
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich höre dir zu. | I’m listening to you. |
| Hör dem Lehrer gut zu! | Listen carefully to the teacher! |
| Sie hört der Musik aufmerksam zu. | She listens to the music attentively. |
Which case does the object take when using 'zuhören'?
dative
'zuhören' always takes a dative object because you listen to someone or something attentively.
Summary
| Verb | Meaning | Case | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hören | to hear (passive perception) | accusative (direct object) | Ich höre Musik. | I hear music. |
| zuhören | to listen (actively pay attention) | dative (indirect object) | Ich höre dir zu. | I’m listening to you. |
Tips
- If you can replace the verb with “hear,” use hören.
- If the action involves consciously paying attention to what is being said or played, use zuhören.
- Remember zuhören always takes a dative object (the person or source you’re listening to).
In short: hören = to hear (something happens to you), zuhören = to listen (to something/someone) (you actively focus).
Flashcards (1 of 8)
- English: I hear music.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
