to listen
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to listen
To listen attentively and consciously in order to understand what someone is saying or what kind of sound can be heard.
Bitte hör mir genau zu, das ist wirklich wichtig.
Please listen to me carefully, this is really important.
'Zuhören' (to listen) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'zu' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Kinder hören der Geschichte aufmerksam zu.
The children listen attentively to the story.
The verb 'zuhören' (to listen) is always used with the dative. You listen to a person or a thing.
Ich höre dir die ganze Zeit zu.
I am listening to you the whole time.
The verb is made up of 'zu' and 'hören' (to hear). The prefix 'zu-' here strengthens the idea of directed, concentrated listening to a person or a sound.
Wenn man einem Vogelkonzert zuhört, kann man entspannen.
When you listen to a chorus of birds, you can relax.
to hear / to listen
'hören' and 'zuhören' both have to do with sounds or speech. 'hören' can simply mean that the ears perceive something, even without intention. But it can also mean deliberate listening, for example listening to music. 'zuhören' always emphasizes attention: you concentrate on a person, an explanation, or a sound in order to understand it. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in conversations. If only the sound reaches you, you say 'hören'. If someone follows attentively, you say 'zuhören'.
Nach dem Gespräch hört Tom der Handwerkerin aufmerksam zu.
After the conversation, Tom listens attentively to the craftswoman.
Ich höre am Bahnhof kaum, was der Kollege am Telefon sagt.
At the train station, I can hardly hear what my colleague is saying on the phone.