Bedeutung
To eavesdrop or listen in on a conversation.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In French apartments, walls are often thin ('murs en papier'). This idiom is frequently used as a genuine warning to neighbors. In Quebec, you might also hear 'avoir les oreilles longues' (to have long ears) to mean the same thing, though 'traînent' is understood. The phrase is often used in children's literature to describe curious characters who discover secrets that drive the plot.
Use with 'Avoir'
Remember that this is a state of being in the moment. Always start with 'J'ai...', 'Tu as...'.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a doctor, they might think you have a physical deformity! Use it only for social listening.
Bedeutung
To eavesdrop or listen in on a conversation.
Use with 'Avoir'
Remember that this is a state of being in the moment. Always start with 'J'ai...', 'Tu as...'.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a doctor, they might think you have a physical deformity! Use it only for social listening.
The 'Qui' is Key
Don't forget the 'qui'. It's not 'oreilles traînent', it's 'oreilles QUI traînent'.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'avoir'.
Nous _______ les oreilles qui traînent quand maman parle au téléphone.
The subject is 'Nous', so the verb 'avoir' must be 'avons'.
Which sentence means 'He is eavesdropping'?
Select the correct idiom:
The idiom specifically uses the verb 'traîner' (to drag).
Match the phrase to the best situation.
When would you say 'Attention, les oreilles traînent'?
It is a warning that others might overhear you.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Comment sais-tu pour la fête ? B: Mes ______ traînaient hier soir.
The idiom uses 'oreilles' (ears).
Match the French idiom to its English equivalent.
Match these:
These are the most direct functional equivalents.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use it
Family
- • Kids listening to parents
- • Gossip about cousins
Office
- • Coffee machine talk
- • Boss nearby
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenNous _______ les oreilles qui traînent quand maman parle au téléphone.
The subject is 'Nous', so the verb 'avoir' must be 'avons'.
Select the correct idiom:
The idiom specifically uses the verb 'traîner' (to drag).
When would you say 'Attention, les oreilles traînent'?
It is a warning that others might overhear you.
A: Comment sais-tu pour la fête ? B: Mes ______ traînaient hier soir.
The idiom uses 'oreilles' (ears).
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the most direct functional equivalents.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
7 FragenIt can be a bit confrontational, but it's usually used playfully among friends. To a stranger, it would be very rude.
Yes! It's a common way to excuse yourself for knowing something you shouldn't: 'Mes oreilles traînaient...'
'Écouter aux portes' implies a deliberate act of hiding to listen. 'Oreilles qui traînent' can be more passive or accidental.
Usually, the expression is always plural. You wouldn't say 'mon oreille qui traîne' unless you were being very specific.
Not at all. It's still very much in use in modern French, from movies to daily conversation.
No, it's too informal. Use 'J'ai cru comprendre que...' (I believe I understood that...) instead.
Yes, 'Zyeuter' is for looking, but for listening, people might say 'écouter en scred' (listening in secret).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Écouter aux portes
synonymTo listen at the doors.
Les murs ont des oreilles
similarThe walls have ears.
Être tout ouïe
similarTo be all ears.
Fermer les oreilles
contrastTo close one's ears.
