Meaning
To listen very carefully and attentively.
Cultural Background
Germany has a massive culture of audio plays for children and adults (like 'Die drei ???'). Narrators often use this phrase to signal a clue is coming. While the phrase is an idiom, it reflects the German value of 'Hinhören' (listening to/into) rather than just 'Zuhören' (listening). It implies a deeper level of focus. German uses many animal body parts to describe human behavior (e.g., 'Hasenfuß' for a coward). This shows a historical connection to rural and nature-based life.
Use it for gossip
This is the perfect phrase to use when you're about to tell a friend something secret. It builds anticipation.
Plural only
Always use 'Ohren' (plural). Using the singular 'Ohr' makes the idiom lose its meaning.
Meaning
To listen very carefully and attentively.
Use it for gossip
This is the perfect phrase to use when you're about to tell a friend something secret. It builds anticipation.
Plural only
Always use 'Ohren' (plural). Using the singular 'Ohr' makes the idiom lose its meaning.
Combine with 'mal'
Adding 'mal' (Spitz mal die Ohren!) makes the command sound more natural and slightly softer in German.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form.
Wenn Oma eine Geschichte erzählt, ______ die Kinder die Ohren.
The subject is 'die Kinder' (plural), so the verb must be 'spitzen'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you tell a friend to listen carefully?
The idiom is plural 'Ohren' and the imperative for 'du' is 'Spitz'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are eavesdropping on a conversation in a cafe.
Eavesdropping requires attentive listening, which is what the idiom means.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hast du gehört, was der Lehrer gesagt hat?' B: 'Nein, ich habe nicht ______.'
The sentence requires the Perfekt tense (haben + Partizip II).
Match the German idiom to its English equivalent.
die Ohren spitzen
This is the most direct equivalent in English.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Animal vs. Human Ears
Contexts for Usage
Social
- • Gossip
- • Secrets
- • Stories
Public
- • Announcements
- • News
- • Lectures
Practice Bank
5 exercisesWenn Oma eine Geschichte erzählt, ______ die Kinder die Ohren.
The subject is 'die Kinder' (plural), so the verb must be 'spitzen'.
How do you tell a friend to listen carefully?
The idiom is plural 'Ohren' and the imperative for 'du' is 'Spitz'.
You are eavesdropping on a conversation in a cafe.
Eavesdropping requires attentive listening, which is what the idiom means.
A: 'Hast du gehört, was der Lehrer gesagt hat?' B: 'Nein, ich habe nicht ______.'
The sentence requires the Perfekt tense (haben + Partizip II).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
This is the most direct equivalent in English.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsIt's a bit too casual for a formal email. Use 'Bitte beachten Sie...' or 'Ich möchte Ihre Aufmerksamkeit auf ... lenken' instead.
In German idioms, we usually use the definite article 'die'. 'Ich spitze die Ohren' is more idiomatic than 'meine Ohren'.
It can, but it doesn't have to. It just means listening very carefully. Context determines if it's eavesdropping or just being attentive.
Yes! It literally means to make your ears pointed, like a dog does when it hears something.
No, that sounds like a physical description of your ears. Use the verb phrase 'Ich habe die Ohren gespitzt'.
Not at all. It's still very common in everyday speech, especially in storytelling or casual conversation.
The opposite would be 'weghören' (to look/listen away) or 'auf Durchzug schalten'.
Related Phrases
ganz Ohr sein
similarTo be all ears.
jemandem ein Ohr abkauen
contrastTo talk someone's ear off.
die Löffel aufsperren
synonymTo open one's 'spoons' (ears) wide.
auf Durchzug schalten
contrastTo let something go in one ear and out the other.
