die  Anhörung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanhoːʁʊŋ/

👂 What exactly is *eine Anhörung*?

*Die Anhörung* (noun, feminine) generally refers to the formal or informal act of listening or the opportunity to be heard. It has several specific meanings:

• Legal/Administrative: A formal procedure where affected parties (e.g., before a court, at an authority) are given the opportunity to present their point of view before a decision is made (e.g., *gerichtliche Anhörung* - court hearing, *Anhörung im Asylverfahren* - hearing in the asylum procedure). This is the most common meaning.
• General: An inquiry or consultation where opinions or information are gathered (e.g., *Expertenanhörung* - expert hearing in parliament).
• Artistic (less common): An audition, especially in music or acting (although *Vorsprechen* or *Audition* are more commonly used here).

⚠️ Important: An *Anhörung* is generally less confrontational than *ein Verhör* (an interrogation), which primarily focuses on determining facts through targeted questioning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Anhörung" under the microscope

The word "Anhörung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Richter beraumte eine Anhörung für nächste Woche an.
   (The judge scheduled a hearing for next week.)
2. Die Ergebnisse der öffentlichen Anhörung wurden im Bericht zusammengefasst.
   (The results of the public hearing were summarized in the report.)
3. Vor der Entscheidung muss eine Anhörung des Betroffenen erfolgen.
   (Before the decision, the affected person must be heard / there must be a hearing for the affected person.)
4. Es gab mehrere Anhörungen im Ausschuss.
   (There were several hearings in the committee.)

🗣️ How is "die Anhörung" used?

The term *die Anhörung* is primarily used in formal contexts:

• In the legal system: *Gerichtsanhörung* (court hearing), *Anhörung von Zeugen* (hearing of witnesses), *Anhörung vor dem Urteil* (hearing before the verdict). This relates to the right to be heard (*rechtliches Gehör*).
• In administration: *Anhörung im Verwaltungsverfahren* (hearing in administrative proceedings), *Anhörung zur Baugenehmigung* (hearing regarding a building permit). Authorities often have to hear affected parties before making decisions.
• In politics: *Parlamentarische Anhörung* (parliamentary hearing), *Expertenanhörung* (expert hearing). Information and opinions are gathered here.
• In human resources: *Anhörung des Betriebsrats* (hearing of the works council) - legally required before certain employer decisions in Germany.

In everyday language, instead of *Anhörung*, people often speak of a *Gespräch* (conversation), a *Befragung* (questioning), or a *Diskussion* (discussion) when the context is less formal.

Distinction:

• *Das Verhör* (interrogation): Targeted, often intense questioning to establish the truth, usually by police or prosecutors. Significantly stronger than an *Anhörung*.
• *Die Befragung* (questioning, survey): A general term for asking questions, can be formal or informal.
• *Die Konsultation* (consultation): Seeking advice or opinion, often from experts.

🧠 Mnemonics for *die Anhörung*

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (*die*). Think of: *die Meinung* (opinion), *die Hoffnung* (hope), *die Entscheidung* (decision) – and also *die Anhörung*. The "-ung" ending is a strong indicator for "die"!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone needs to be heard and knocks *an* (at/on) a door to finally get someone to *hören* (hear/listen) them. This process is *die Anhörung* – the opportunity to be heard.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• *Das Verhör:* Interrogation; intensive questioning to find the truth, often by police. Don't confuse it with an *Anhörung*!
• *Das Gehör:* Hearing (sense); also the principle of the right to be heard (*rechtliches Gehör*). *Die Anhörung* is the specific event/procedure.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten bei der Anhörung: "Haben Sie wirklich nichts zu Ihrer Verteidigung zu sagen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Doch, Euer Ehren, aber mein Anwalt hat mir geraten, erst nach der Verurteilung zu lachen."

Translation: The judge asks the defendant at the hearing: "Do you really have nothing to say in your defense?"
The defendant replies: "Yes, Your Honor, but my lawyer advised me to laugh only after the conviction."

📜 Poem about *die Anhörung*

Im Saale ernst, die Luft ist schwer,
die Anhörung beginnt nun sehr.
Argumente, leis und laut,
man hofft, dass man dem Richt'gen traut.
Ein Recht zu sprechen, zuzuhören,
um Fakten klar und wahr zu schwören.
Am Ende dann, nach Frag und Wort,
trägt man die Entscheidung fort.

Translation:
In the serious hall, the air is heavy,
the hearing now begins readily.
Arguments, soft and loud,
one hopes the right one is allowed (trusted).
A right to speak, to listen,
to swear facts clear and true without condition.
At the end then, after question and word,
the decision is carried forward, undeterred.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Recht, doch auch ein Akt,
man hört dir zu, ganz ohne Takt?
Nein, meist formell, vor Amt, Gericht,
damit man deine Sicht nicht bricht.
Bevor entschieden wird die Sach',
geb' ich dir Stimme, ach!

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a right, but also an act,
they listen to you, without any tact?
No, mostly formal, before office, court,
so that your view isn't cut short.
Before the matter is decided, alas,
I give you voice, through this process!

What am I?

Solution: die Anhörung (the hearing)

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition:

The word "Anhörung" is a noun derived from the verb *anhören* (to listen to, to hear someone out). It consists of:

• Prefix "an-": Often indicates direction or initiation (listening *to* someone).
• Stem "hör-": From the verb *hören* (to hear).
• Suffix "-ung": Turns verbs into nouns, often denoting a process or result. These nouns are typically feminine (*die*).

Related Terms:

• *anhören (verb):* to listen to someone, to give something a hearing (e.g., a request).
• *zuhören (verb):* to listen attentively.
• *gehören (verb):* to belong to (not directly related, but similar sound).
• *das Gehör (noun):* The sense of hearing; also the right to be heard (legal principle: *rechtliches Gehör*).