das  Ohr

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/oːɐ̯/

👂 What does "das Ohr" mean?

Das Ohr (noun, neuter) primarily refers to the organ of hearing and balance in humans and vertebrates. It is paired and located on the sides of the head. In English, it means ear.

Furthermore, "das Ohr" is also used in figurative senses:

• The ability to hear or the sense of hearing itself: Er hat ein gutes Ohr für Musik. (He has a good ear for music.)
• Attention, listening: jemandem ein offenes Ohr schenken (to lend someone a sympathetic ear).
• Feeling, sensitivity: ein Ohr für die Zwischentöne haben (to have an ear for nuances).

🚨 Attention: The word "Öhr" (with an umlaut) refers to a small opening, especially the eye of a needle (Nadelöhr) or a handle/loop. It is also neuter (das Öhr), but has a different meaning and often a different plural (Öhre).

🧐 Grammar of "das Ohr" in Detail

"Das Ohr" is a noun with the article das (neuter). It's one of the nouns that take an -en ending in the plural.

Example Sentences

1. Das linke Ohr tut mir weh. (My left ear hurts.)
2. Die Musik ist eine Wohltat für die Ohren. (The music is a treat for the ears.)
3. Er flüsterte ihr etwas ins Ohr. (He whispered something in her ear.)
4. Der Arzt untersuchte das Innere des Ohres. (The doctor examined the inside of the ear.)
5. Sie hielt sich die Ohren zu. (She covered her ears.)

🗣️ How to use "das Ohr"?

"Das Ohr" is commonly used when referring to the organ of hearing. However, idioms and figurative meanings are very frequent:

• Ganz Ohr sein: To be all ears (listening attentively). Example: Erzähl, ich bin ganz Ohr! (Go on, I'm all ears!)
• Ein offenes Ohr für jemanden haben: To have an open ear for someone (to be willing to listen sympathetically). Example: Meine Freundin hat immer ein offenes Ohr für mich. (My friend always lends me a sympathetic ear.)
• Auf taube Ohren stoßen: To fall on deaf ears (to be ignored when making requests or warnings). Example: Sein Vorschlag stieß bei der Chefin auf taube Ohren. (His suggestion fell on deaf ears with the boss.)
• Bis über beide Ohren verliebt sein: To be head over heels in love. Example: Sie ist bis über beide Ohren in ihn verliebt. (She is head over heels in love with him.)
• Die Ohren spitzen: To prick up one's ears (to listen carefully). Example: Als sie ihren Namen hörte, spitzte sie die Ohren. (When she heard her name, she pricked up her ears.)
• Einen Ohrwurm haben: To have an earworm (a catchy tune stuck in one's head).
• Sich etwas hinter die Ohren schreiben: To make a mental note of something / take something to heart.

Compared to synonyms like "Lauscher" (more colloquial) or "Gehör" (more abstract, referring to the sense), "Ohr" is the neutral and most common term.

💡 Mnemonics for "das Ohr"

For the article "das": Think of the English word "the" - "the" sounds a bit like "das". Or imagine a neutral, small thing attached to the head – it's just "das Ohr", that ear.

For the meaning "hearing/attention": Imagine the shape of an ear looks a bit like a question mark without the dot – it's always asking 'What?' or ready to receive information.

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

Synonyms (for the organ of hearing):

• Gehörorgan: Auditory organ (technical term).
• Lauscher: Listener/ear (colloquial, often humorous).

Synonyms (for hearing/sense of hearing):

• Gehör: Sense of hearing. Example: Sein Gehör lässt nach. (His hearing is declining.)
• Hörvermögen: Hearing ability.

Terms in a figurative sense (depending on context):

• Aufmerksamkeit: Attention (when meaning "ganz Ohr sein").
• Verständnis, Mitgefühl: Understanding, sympathy (when meaning "ein offenes Ohr haben").
• Gespür, Feingefühl: Sensitivity, intuition (when meaning "ein Ohr für etwas haben").

Antonyms:

There isn't a direct antonym for "Ohr" as an organ. In the context of hearing, possible opposites are:

• Taubheit: Deafness (state of being unable to hear).
• Stille: Silence (absence of sound, opposite of what the ear perceives).

Similar but different terms:

• Das Öhr: Eye (of a needle), loop, handle. Do not confuse!

😄 A Little Joke about the Ear

Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Hören Sie manchmal Stimmen, ohne zu wissen, wer spricht oder woher sie kommen?"
Patient: "Ja, ständig!"
Arzt: "Und wann passiert das am häufigsten?"
Patient: "Immer wenn ich telefoniere!"

Translation:
The doctor asks the patient: "Do you sometimes hear voices without knowing who is speaking or where they are coming from?"
Patient: "Yes, constantly!"
Doctor: "And when does that happen most often?"
Patient: "Whenever I'm on the phone!"

📜 A Poem about the Ear

Ein kleines Ding, an jeder Seit',
Das Ohr, zur Hörsamkeit bereit.
Es fängt die Töne, leis und laut,
Hat Welt und Wissen uns anvertraut.

Mal lauscht es Worten, süß und klar,
Mal ist's für Klagen immer da.
Ein Wunderwerk, so fein und klein,
Drum halt dein Ohr stets sauber rein!

Translation:
A little thing, on every side,
The ear, where listening does reside.
It catches sounds, both soft and loud,
Has trusted us with world and cloud (of knowledge).

Sometimes it hears words, sweet and clear,
Sometimes for worries, it's always near.
A marvel, wonderfully small,
So keep your ear clean, standing tall!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch hör' ich jedes Wort.
Ich sitze am Kopf, an meinem festen Ort.
Bin paarweis meist vorhanden, für Musik und jeden Schall,
Manchmal brauchst du mich zum Zuhören überall.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Das Ohr

Translation:
I have no mouth, but hear every word.
I sit on the head, a place preferred.
Usually found in pairs, for music and all sound,
Sometimes you need me for listening all around.

What am I?

Solution: The ear (Das Ohr)

✨ Interesting Facts about "das Ohr"

• Word Composition: The word "Ohr" is a basic word, not directly composed of other parts. However, it forms part of many compound nouns like Ohrring (earring), Ohrenschmalz (earwax), Ohrenarzt (ear doctor), Ohrwurm (earworm), Langohr (long-ear, i.e., hare/rabbit), Ohrfeige (slap in the face/box on the ears).
• Anatomy: The human ear consists of the Außenohr (outer ear: auricle, ear canal), Mittelohr (middle ear: eardrum, ossicles: malleus, incus, stapes), and Innenohr (inner ear: cochlea, vestibular system).
• Cultural Note: Ohrringe (earrings) are one of the oldest forms of body adornment.
• Idiom "Ohrfeige": A slap on the cheek or ear.