anhören

Anhören is a German verb meaning "to listen to" or "to hear" in the context of paying attention to sounds or speech. It is a separable verb consisting of the prefix "an-" and the root "hören" (to hear). In its infinitive form, the prefix separates in certain grammatical constructions, particularly in present tense conjugations and imperative forms.

The verb conjugates regularly in most tenses. In present tense, it follows the pattern: ich höre an, du hörst an, er/sie/es hört an, wir hören an, ihr hört an, sie/Sie hören an. The past tense forms include ich hörte an, and the perfect tense uses the auxiliary verb "haben" with the past participle "angehört."

Anhören is commonly used in everyday German conversation and formal contexts. Typical usage includes listening to music, speeches, lectures, or any situation where active attention to auditory input is required. The verb emphasizes the intentional act of directing one's attention toward sounds, distinguishing it from passive hearing.

The word appears frequently in educational and professional settings, such as students anhören a lecture or employees anhören instructions. It also appears in legal contexts, where witnesses are asked to anhören testimony or evidence.

Related vocabulary includes "zuhören" (to listen attentively), "belauschen" (to eavesdrop), and "lauschen" (to listen carefully or strain to hear). The noun form "das Anhören" refers to the act or process of listening.

Pronunciation follows standard German phonetic rules, with "anhören" typically stressed on the second syllable. The IPA transcription is approximately /ˈanˌhøːʁən/.

The verb reflects Germanic linguistic patterns and shares etymological roots with English "hear" and other Germanic languages' corresponding terms. It remains an essential component of German communication, expressing the fundamental human activity of attentive listening.