Bedeutung
To be willing to listen to someone's problems or concerns sympathetically.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In German corporate culture, 'ein offenes Ohr' is a key part of 'Feedbackkultur'. It is expected that even high-level managers are approachable. Austrians might use this phrase in a slightly more formal, polite way, often combined with 'gnädige Frau' or similar titles in traditional settings. In Swiss German, the concept remains the same, though the dialectal pronunciation of 'Ohr' (Ohrli/Ohr) might change the sound, the sentiment of 'offen' is universal. This idiom reflects the Western value of individual emotional support and the importance of 'talking things out' (aussprechen).
Use it to be polite
It's a very safe and kind way to end a conversation with someone who is struggling.
Don't pluralize
Remember: one ear is enough for this idiom! 'Offene Ohren' sounds like you're a spy.
Bedeutung
To be willing to listen to someone's problems or concerns sympathetically.
Use it to be polite
It's a very safe and kind way to end a conversation with someone who is struggling.
Don't pluralize
Remember: one ear is enough for this idiom! 'Offene Ohren' sounds like you're a spy.
Combine with 'immer'
Adding 'immer' (always) makes the offer of support sound much more sincere and permanent.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Mein bester Freund hat immer ein _________ _________ für mich.
The noun 'Ohr' is neuter and in the accusative case, so the adjective 'offen' needs the '-es' ending.
Which preposition is used with this idiom?
Ich habe ein offenes Ohr ___ meine Schwester.
The idiom 'ein offenes Ohr haben' always takes the preposition 'für'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: Kann ich mit dir reden? B: Klar, ich ____ ein _______ ___ für dich.
The verb is 'haben' and the noun is singular 'Ohr'.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
Your boss says they are willing to hear your feedback.
'Ein offenes Ohr haben' describes a general willingness to listen to feedback.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMein bester Freund hat immer ein _________ _________ für mich.
The noun 'Ohr' is neuter and in the accusative case, so the adjective 'offen' needs the '-es' ending.
Ich habe ein offenes Ohr ___ meine Schwester.
The idiom 'ein offenes Ohr haben' always takes the preposition 'für'.
A: Kann ich mit dir reden? B: Klar, ich ____ ein _______ ___ für dich.
The verb is 'haben' and the noun is singular 'Ohr'.
Your boss says they are willing to hear your feedback.
'Ein offenes Ohr haben' describes a general willingness to listen to feedback.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenGrammatically yes, but idiomatically no. It sounds like a joke or a literal statement about your anatomy.
It's neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your boss.
'Zuhören' is the action of listening. 'Ein offenes Ohr haben' is the willingness or trait of being a listener.
Not necessarily. It primarily means you will listen. Advice is a separate step.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Ganz Ohr sein
similarTo be all ears / listening intently right now.
Jemandem Gehör schenken
formalTo grant someone a hearing.
Auf taube Ohren stoßen
contrastTo fall on deaf ears.
Ein offenes Buch sein
builds onTo be an open book.
Sich etwas hinter die Ohren schreiben
specialized formTo make a mental note of something.
