headphones
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headphones
A device that you wear on or in your ears to listen to sounds such as music or speech without other people being able to listen along. It usually consists of two small speakers connected by a headband or inserted individually into the ears.
Ich setze meine Kopfhörer auf, um im Zug ungestört Musik zu hören.
I put on my headphones to listen to music undisturbed on the train.
The word is made up of 'Kopf' (head) and 'Hörer' (listener/receiver). 'Hörer' comes from the verb 'hören' (to hear) and here refers to a receiver for sounds. A 'Kopfhörer' is therefore literally a 'receiver for the head'.
Für das Online-Meeting brauche ich meine Kopfhörer mit Mikrofon.
For the online meeting, I need my headphones with a microphone.
In connection with headphones, the verbs 'aufsetzen' (to put on, in order to use them), 'abnehmen' (to take off, in order to put them away), and 'tragen' (to wear, to have them on your body) are often used.
Er trägt im Fitnessstudio immer große Kopfhörer.
He always wears large headphones at the gym.
Common descriptions for headphones are 'kabellos' (wireless) or 'mit Geräuschunterdrückung' (with noise cancellation), to specify the type of device more precisely.
Kabellose Kopfhörer sind beim Sport sehr praktisch.
Wireless headphones are very practical for sports.
receiver / listener
'der Kopfhörer' and 'der Hörer' both have to do with hearing, but they are not the same thing. You wear a Kopfhörer on or in your ears, for example for music, videos, or phone calls. 'Der Hörer' is the part of a traditional telephone that you hold to your ear. In addition, 'Hörer' can also mean a person who listens to the radio, music, or a lecture. Learners may confuse the words because they sound similar. But for the device worn on the head, you normally say 'Kopfhörer'.
Vor dem Online-Termin prüft sie ihren Kopfhörer.
Before the online appointment, she checks her headphones.
Nach dem Anruf legte Herr Kaya den Hörer langsam auf.
After the call, Mr. Kaya slowly put down the receiver.