das Hörbuch
audiobook
An audio recording of a book that is read aloud by one or more speakers.
EXAMPLE
Auf langen Autofahrten höre ich am liebsten ein spannendes Hörbuch.
On long car trips, I prefer listening to an exciting audiobook.
das Hörbuch
audiobook
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is a simple compound of the verb 'hören' (to hear/listen) and the noun 'Buch' (book). So it is literally a book that you listen to.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir das neue Hörbuch meines Lieblingsautors gekauft.
I bought the new audiobook by my favorite author.
Productive word part
The component 'Hör-' is also used in other words for acoustic media or experiences, for example in the word 'Hörspiel' (an audio play produced for radio) or 'Hörsaal' (a lecture hall at a university).
EXAMPLE
Als Kind habe ich gerne Hörspiele gehört.
As a child, I liked listening to audio plays.
Typical verb
A 'Hörbuch' (audiobook) is not 'gelesen' (read), but 'gehört' (listened to). Using the verb 'lesen' (to read) in this context is a common mistake.
EXAMPLE
Beim Putzen höre ich gerne Hörbücher.
I like listening to audiobooks while cleaning.
Compare with
Hörbuch vs Hörspiel
audio drama
An audiobook is a read-aloud version of a book, usually with one or more speakers. An audio drama, by contrast, tells a story as a production with dialogue, sound effects, and music. Choose “Hörbuch” when the book’s text is read aloud, and “Hörspiel” when the staged production is the focus.
Hörbuch
Auf der langen Zugfahrt hörte ich das Hörbuch mit dem vorgelesenen Roman.
On the long train journey, I listened to the audiobook version of the novel being read aloud.
Hörspiel
Auf der langen Zugfahrt hörte ich das Hörspiel mit verschiedenen Stimmen, Geräuschen und Musik.
On the long train journey, I listened to the audio drama with different voices, sound effects, and music.
In real life
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