German word

Ohr

Pronunciation

IPA/oːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • neuter nounear

Example

Meine Ohren tun weh.

My ears hurt.

Illustration for Ohr (ear)

More examples

Er flüsterte ihr ein Geheimnis ins Ohr.

He whispered a secret into her ear.

Core concept

Two sound-catching structures sit on the sides of the head and connect the outside world with hearing.

Common phrases

  • ins Ohr flüstern

    whisper into someone's ear

  • sich das Ohr zuhalten

    cover one's ears

Similar words

Gehör: The sense or ability that allows sounds to be heard.
Ohrmuschel: The visible outer part that gathers sound and directs it into the ear.
Innenohr: The deep part that receives sound and converts it into electrical signals.
Ohrläppchen: The soft lower part of the ear, often pierced for jewelry.

Definition in German

das Organ am Kopf, mit dem man Geräusche wahrnimmt.

Word origin

German Ohr continues Old High German ōra, from Proto-Germanic *auzōn and ultimately the Indo-European root *h₂ous- for 'ear'.

Usage tips

  • Ohr is neuter, and its plural is Ohren; pain or sensations in both ears therefore normally use the plural.

Related words

  • Ohrenschmalzearwaxnoun
  • Ohrmuschelauriclenoun
  • Ohrfeigeslap in the facenoun

Word lists with this word