to grant / hear
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to grant
To take note of and fulfill a request, wish, or prayer. Often used in a religious or figurative sense.
Der König erhörte die Bitte des Volkes und senkte die Steuern.
The king granted the people's request and lowered the taxes.
to hear
To perceive something, often something quiet or distant, with the ears. This meaning is rare today and is considered elevated or outdated.
In der Stille der Nacht erhört er ein fernes Geräusch.
In the silence of the night, he hears a distant sound.
'Erhören' (to grant / hear) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' often points to the successful result of an action: here, hearing leads to the fulfillment of what was heard.
Sie hoffte, dass der Chef ihre Bitte um mehr Gehalt erhören würde.
She hoped that the boss would grant her request for a higher salary.
This verb is typically combined with words such as 'ein Gebet' (a prayer), 'eine Bitte' (a request), 'ein Flehen' (a plea), or 'einen Wunsch' (a wish) as a direct object.
Die Götter erhörten seine Gebete und schickten Regen.
The gods granted his prayers and sent rain.
The meaning 'to fulfill a request' is often used in religious contexts (prayers) or in very formal, almost poetic language.
Das Volk flehte um Gnade, doch der Tyrann erhörte es nicht.
The people begged for mercy, but the tyrant did not grant it.
The literal meaning 'to hear something' is very rare today and sounds outdated or literary. You will find it almost only in old poetry or historical texts.
Der Wanderer meinte, in der Ferne einen Hilferuf zu erhören.
The wanderer thought he heard a cry for help in the distance.
to hear / to listen
Both words can express perceiving a quiet or distant noise. „Hören“ is neutral and usual in this situation, while „erhören“ is rare, elevated, or old-fashioned today. In modern everyday speech, people therefore normally say „hören“; „erhören“ is more likely to be found in older or deliberately elevated texts.
In der alten Erzählung erhörte der Wächter ein leises Signal aus der Ferne.
In the old story, the guard heard a faint signal from far away.
Trotz des Regens hörte ich das leise Signal.
Despite the rain, I heard the faint signal.
