In 15 Seconds
- Consuming digital audio shows on-demand.
- Uses the verb 'hören' (to hear/listen).
- A very common German hobby and small-talk topic.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of listening to a digital audio show or series, usually on a smartphone or computer.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about your morning routine
Ich höre beim Frühstück immer einen Podcast.
I always listen to a podcast during breakfast.
Asking a colleague for recommendations
Welchen Podcast hören Sie am liebsten?
Which podcast do you like listening to most?
Texting a friend about a new show
Du musst diesen Podcast hören, er ist super!
You have to listen to this podcast, it's great!
Cultural Background
Germany has a massive 'Hörspiel' (radio play) culture. Many adults still listen to series they loved as children, which made the transition to podcasts very natural. In Switzerland, many popular podcasts are in Swiss German (Schwiizertüütsch), which can be a great but difficult challenge for learners of High German. Austrian podcasts often feature the unique Viennese 'Schmäh' (humor), which is a specific type of witty, sometimes dark sarcasm. The word 'Podcast' is used globally, making it a 'bridge word' for language learners regardless of their native tongue.
Use 'anhören' for focus
If you want to say you are listening to a specific episode very carefully, use 'Ich höre mir die Folge an.'
Watch the article
Don't forget that it's 'einen Podcast' (accusative) and not just 'ein Podcast' when it's the object.
In 15 Seconds
- Consuming digital audio shows on-demand.
- Uses the verb 'hören' (to hear/listen).
- A very common German hobby and small-talk topic.
What It Means
Podcast hören means you are enjoying a digital audio program.
Think of it as on-demand radio for your ears.
You can learn a language or hear a story.
It is a staple of modern German life.
Almost everyone has a favorite show they follow weekly.
It is the perfect companion for solo activities.
You just need a smartphone and some good headphones.
It is a very relaxed and personal experience.
How To Use It
You use the verb hören at the end of sentences.
In a main clause, höre moves to the second position.
For example: Ich höre gerne einen Podcast.
You can use it with or without the word einen.
Using the plural Podcasts hören is also very common.
If you are talking about a specific show, use den.
Ich höre den Podcast von Jan Böhmermann.
It is a very flexible phrase for all levels.
When To Use It
Use this when talking about your hobbies or daily routine.
It is perfect for small talk at work or school.
Tell your friends what you did during your commute.
Imagine you are on the U-Bahn in Berlin.
Everyone has their headphones on and looks serious.
Most of them are likely Podcast hören right now.
It is the ultimate way to survive public transport.
It also works well when you are at the gym.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are watching a video.
If there are pictures, use the verb schauen or gucken.
Also, do not use it for a live concert.
For a concert, you say auf ein Konzert gehen.
Do not use it for a private conversation.
If you are eavesdropping, that is lauschen.
Podcast hören is always for recorded digital media.
Using it for a phone call would be very strange.
Cultural Background
Germans absolutely love their audio content.
This tradition started with Hörspiele (audio plays) for children.
Every German child grew up with cassette tapes or CDs.
This nostalgia transitioned perfectly into the digital age.
Now, German podcasts often top the global charts.
Shows like Fest & Flauschig are massive cultural touchstones.
The German Feierabend often includes a good audio show.
It is a way to stay informed and entertained.
Common Variations
You might hear einen Podcast anmachen to start one.
Another version is beim [Activity] Podcast hören.
For example: beim Kochen Podcast hören is very common.
You can also say meinen Lieblingspodcast hören specifically.
You can say reinhören if you just listen briefly.
Ich höre mal in den neuen Podcast rein.
This means you are giving it a quick try.
You can also use folgen to say you follow one.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and works in almost any social context. In very casual speech, the article 'einen' is often dropped, resulting in 'Ich höre Podcast'.
Use 'anhören' for focus
If you want to say you are listening to a specific episode very carefully, use 'Ich höre mir die Folge an.'
Watch the article
Don't forget that it's 'einen Podcast' (accusative) and not just 'ein Podcast' when it's the object.
Learn with Podcasts
Search for 'Deutsch lernen' in your podcast app. Listening to 'Slow German' is a great way to practice this phrase in action!
Examples
6Ich höre beim Frühstück immer einen Podcast.
I always listen to a podcast during breakfast.
Uses 'beim' to show simultaneous action.
Welchen Podcast hören Sie am liebsten?
Which podcast do you like listening to most?
Formal use of 'Sie' in a professional setting.
Du musst diesen Podcast hören, er ist super!
You have to listen to this podcast, it's great!
Uses the modal verb 'müssen' for a recommendation.
Sorry, ich habe gerade Podcast gehört und dich nicht bemerkt.
Sorry, I was just listening to a podcast and didn't notice you.
Past tense 'habe gehört' used as an excuse.
Mein Hobby ist Podcast hören, weil ich keine echten Freunde habe.
My hobby is listening to podcasts because I have no real friends.
Self-deprecating humor about the parasocial nature of podcasts.
Wenn ich traurig bin, hilft es mir, einen lustigen Podcast zu hören.
When I am sad, listening to a funny podcast helps me.
Expresses how the activity affects emotions.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the article (einen/den/ein).
Ich höre gerade ______ interessanten Podcast über Berlin.
Podcast is masculine and in the accusative case, so 'einen' is correct.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
German doesn't use 'zu' with 'hören' for objects, and 'Podcast' is masculine.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Was machst du im Bus? B: Ich ______ meistens Podcasts.
You 'hear' (hören) audio content like podcasts.
Match the German phrase with its English meaning.
Match them:
These are all common collocations related to listening to podcasts.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Hören vs. Anhören
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch höre gerade ______ interessanten Podcast über Berlin.
Podcast is masculine and in the accusative case, so 'einen' is correct.
Choose the correct option:
German doesn't use 'zu' with 'hören' for objects, and 'Podcast' is masculine.
A: Was machst du im Bus? B: Ich ______ meistens Podcasts.
You 'hear' (hören) audio content like podcasts.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common collocations related to listening to podcasts.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is a loanword from English, but it is fully integrated into the German language with its own gender (masculine).
If you are saying 'I hear a podcast,' use 'einen' because it is the direct object (accusative).
No, that is a literal translation from English. In German, it's just 'Ich höre Podcasts.'
It's a popular German genre where the hosts just talk (labern) about various topics without a strict script.
The word is '{die|f} Podcast-Folge' or simply '{die|f} Folge'.
'Hören' is general listening. 'Anhören' implies listening to a specific piece of content from start to finish.
'Gemischtes Hack', 'Fest & Flauschig', and 'Zeit Verbrechen' are among the most popular.
Only if you are just listening to the audio. If you are watching, use 'schauen' or 'gucken'.
Yes, in standard German it is always {der|m} Podcast.
You can say 'Ich bin süchtig nach diesem Podcast.'
Related Phrases
Radio hören
similarTo listen to the radio
Musik hören
similarTo listen to music
Hörbuch hören
similarTo listen to an audiobook
einen Podcast aufnehmen
builds onTo record a podcast
reinhören
specialized formTo listen in briefly
