das Ohr
ear
The body organ with which humans and animals can hear and maintain balance.
EXAMPLE
Mein linkes Ohr tut seit gestern weh.
My left ear has been hurting since yesterday.
das Ohr
ear
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
das Ohr
ear for music
The ability to perceive and understand sounds, melodies, and rhythms well; musical talent.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ein gutes Ohr für Musik und kann jedes Lied nach einmaligem Hören nachspielen.
She has a good ear for music and can play any song after hearing it once.
ein offenes Ohr haben für
to have an open ear for
To be willing to listen to someone, especially when the person has worries or problems.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du reden möchtest, ich habe immer ein offenes Ohr für dich.
If you want to talk, I always have an open ear for you.
ganz Ohr sein
to be all ears
To listen very attentively and with full concentration.
EXAMPLE
Erzähl, was passiert ist, ich bin ganz Ohr!
Tell me what happened; I'm all ears!
das Ohr
handle / loop
A handle or loop on an object, for example on a cup or bag, whose shape resembles an ear.
EXAMPLE
Die Tasse ist mir heruntergefallen und jetzt ist das Ohr abgebrochen.
I dropped the cup, and now the handle has broken off.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In connection with the body part, 'Ohr' (ear) is often used in fixed expressions. Typical examples are 'jemandem ins Ohr flüstern' (to whisper in someone's ear), 'sich die Ohren zuhalten' (to cover one's ears), or 'auf einem Ohr taub sein' (to be deaf in one ear).
EXAMPLE
Er flüsterte ihr ein Geheimnis ins Ohr.
He whispered a secret in her ear.
Sentence structure with 'für'
When 'Ohr' (ear) describes musical talent, it is almost always used with the preposition 'für' (for) and an accusative object. The structure is: 'ein (gutes) Ohr für etwas haben' (to have a good ear for something).
EXAMPLE
Ein guter Lektor braucht ein Ohr für die Sprache.
A good editor needs an ear for language.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'ein offenes Ohr für jemanden/etwas haben' (to have an open ear for someone/something) is a fixed unit. It means that you are willing to listen to another person's worries or problems.
EXAMPLE
Meine Lehrerin hatte immer ein offenes Ohr für die Probleme der Schüler.
My teacher always had an open ear for the students' problems.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ganz Ohr sein' (to be all ears) is a fixed expression that means you are giving someone your full attention. It is often used as a direct invitation to speak.
EXAMPLE
Du hattest Neuigkeiten? Ich bin ganz Ohr!
You had news? I'm all ears!
Context clue
You can always recognize the meaning 'Henkel' (handle) or 'Griff' (grip/handle) from the context. When objects like a cup, jug, or bag are being discussed, this part is meant.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir den Korb mit den großen Ohren geben?
Can you give me the basket with the large handles?
Compare with
Ohr vs Gehör
hearing
Here, Ohr refers to a musical sense for tones, melodies, and rhythms. Gehör, on the other hand, means the general ability to perceive sound. Ohr is therefore appropriate for musical talent, while Gehör refers to the physical ability to hear.
Ohr
Mara hat ein gutes Ohr für Melodien und erkennt sofort jeden falschen Ton.
Mara has a good ear for melodies and immediately recognizes every wrong note.
Gehör
Mara hat ein gutes Gehör und hört auch sehr leise Töne deutlich.
Mara has good hearing and can clearly hear even very quiet sounds.
In real life
Loading video examples...