At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe basic actions. The word listen might not be the first verb you learn, but you will definitely learn the noun die Liste (the list). You use die Liste for shopping (Einkaufsliste) or for your daily tasks. At this stage, instead of using the verb listen, you will likely say 'Ich mache eine Liste' (I am making a list) or 'Ich schreibe eine Liste' (I am writing a list). This is perfectly fine! However, it is good to know that listen exists so you don't confuse it with the English 'listen'. If you want to say you are hearing something, use hören. If you see the word listen in a simple computer program or on a website, just remember it means 'to show things in a list'. For example, 'Die App listet die Preise' means 'The app lists the prices'. Keep it simple: focus on the noun Liste first, and remember that the verb listen is about organizing things, not hearing them. You might use it to talk about your hobbies: 'Ich liste meine Hobbys' (I am listing my hobbies). It is a regular verb, so the endings are the ones you already know: -e, -st, -t, -en, -t, -en. Just remember the extra 'e' in listest and listet to help with the pronunciation of the double 't' sound.
At the A2 level, you are expanding your vocabulary to include more specific verbs for daily and professional life. Listen becomes more useful here. You can use it to describe how you organize information. For example, if you are talking about your work, you might say, 'Ich liste die Aufgaben für heute' (I am listing the tasks for today). You should also start to recognize the past participle gelistet. You will see this on websites or in stores. If a product is 'nicht gelistet', it means it is not in the system and you cannot buy it. This is a very practical word for shopping and basic office work. You should also learn the difference between listen and auflisten. While they are very similar, auflisten is often used when you are actively writing something down. At A2, you should be able to conjugate the verb in the present tense and the perfect tense: 'Ich habe die Namen gelistet.' Remember the false friend: never use listen for music or voices! Always use hören for that. Practice using listen when you talk about your collections, like books or movies. 'Ich liste meine Filme in einer App.' This shows you can use more specific verbs than just 'machen' or 'haben'.
At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more professional and structured situations. Listen is a key verb for office communication and technical descriptions. You will use it to explain processes: 'Zuerst listen wir die Anforderungen, dann suchen wir Lösungen' (First we list the requirements, then we look for solutions). You should also become comfortable with the passive voice, as listen is frequently used this way in reports. 'Die Teilnehmer wurden alphabetisch gelistet' (The participants were listed alphabetically). At this level, you should also understand the financial context of the word. If you read the news, you might see that a company is 'an der Börse gelistet'. This is the standard term for being publically traded. You can also start using synonyms like erfassen or aufzählen to vary your language. Listen implies a formal or digital structure. If you are describing a database or a spreadsheet, listen is the perfect word. You should also be careful with prepositions: you list things in a table or auf a page. Mastery of listen at B1 shows that you are moving beyond basic survival German and into the realm of organized, professional communication.
At the B2 level, you should understand the nuances between listen and its more formal counterparts like verzeichnen or katalogisieren. Listen is often seen as a slightly more modern, sometimes even 'Denglisch' influenced verb, especially in IT and modern business. You will encounter it in complex texts about logistics, data protection, or economics. For example, 'Die DSGVO verlangt, dass alle Datenverarbeitungsprozesse gelistet werden' (The GDPR requires all data processing steps to be listed). You should be able to use the verb in all tenses, including the subjunctive (Konjunktiv II) for hypothetical situations: 'Es wäre besser, wenn wir alle Risiken einzeln listen würden.' You also start to see the word in compound nouns or related terms like Listung (the act of listing/entry). In a business meeting, you might discuss the 'Listungsgebühr' (listing fee) for a new product in a retail chain. Your usage of listen should be precise—use it when referring to structured data, and opt for aufzählen when you are enumerating points in an argument. This level of precision is what distinguishes a B2 learner from a B1 learner.
At the C1 level, you use listen with full awareness of its stylistic implications. You recognize that while listen is perfectly acceptable, in high-level academic or literary writing, verbs like anführen, verzeichnen, or darstellen might be preferred depending on the context. You can use listen to describe complex systems of categorization. For instance, in a sociological essay, you might write about how certain groups are 'systematisch gelistet und kategorisiert' by state institutions. You also understand the nuances of prefix verbs like einlisten (to enter into a list) or auslisten (to remove from a list/range). The latter is particularly important in retail and supply chain management. Your command of the verb includes its use in abstract contexts, such as 'die gelisteten Vorzüge einer Theorie' (the listed merits of a theory). You are also aware of the etymological roots and how the word has evolved from the Old French 'liste' (border/strip) into the modern German verb. At C1, you don't just use the word; you use it to create a specific tone of technical accuracy and systematic thought.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of listen and can use it in highly specialized domains. You might use it in legal contexts, discussing 'gelistete terroristische Organisationen' (listed terrorist organizations) or in high-finance discussions about 'Dual-Listing' on multiple stock exchanges. You are capable of using the verb in sophisticated rhetorical structures, perhaps using it ironically or to emphasize the bureaucratic nature of a process. You understand the subtle difference between a 'gelisteter Artikel' and an 'aufgeführter Punkt'. You can participate in deep technical discussions about database indexing where listen might be used to describe the output of a query. Your vocabulary is so broad that listen is just one tool among many, and you choose it specifically for its connotations of digital or formal structure. You also understand the cultural weight of the word in a society that prides itself on 'Ordnung' and 'Dokumentation'. Whether you are reading a complex financial report or a philosophical treatise on the 'systematization of knowledge', you understand exactly why the author chose listen over its many synonyms.

listen em 30 segundos

  • German 'listen' means 'to list' or 'to catalog', not 'to hear'.
  • It is a regular weak verb used mainly in business and tech.
  • Commonly used for stock market listings and product inventories.
  • The prefix version 'auflisten' is often used for physical lists.

The German verb listen is a specialized term that English speakers might find deceptively familiar yet functionally distinct from its English phonetic twin. While in English 'listen' refers to the act of hearing, in German, listen (pronounced with a short 'i' and a sharp 's') means to list, to catalog, or to enter into a database. It is derived directly from the noun die Liste. In contemporary German, especially within professional, technical, and digital contexts, this verb has gained significant traction, although it often competes with its more traditional prefix-version, auflisten. Understanding when to use the simple verb listen versus its counterparts is key to achieving a natural flow in German, particularly when discussing organization, logistics, or financial markets.

Business Context
In the corporate world, listen is frequently used when referring to products being added to a range or inventory. For example, a supermarket might 'list' a new brand of organic juice.
Financial Markets
This verb is the standard term for a company being 'listed' on a stock exchange. If a startup goes public, it is 'an der Börse gelistet'.
Data Management
In IT and database administration, listen describes the process of displaying or recording entries in a structured format.

One must be careful not to confuse listen with the English 'to listen'. If you want to say 'I am listening to music,' you must use hören or zuhören. Using listen in that context would imply you are cataloging the music in a spreadsheet, which would likely confuse your German conversation partner. The verb follows a regular conjugation pattern, making it relatively easy for A2 learners to master once the semantic distinction is clear. It belongs to the group of weak verbs, meaning its past forms are predictable: listete (simple past) and gelistet (past participle).

Wir müssen alle neuen Artikel im System listen, bevor der Verkauf beginnt.

Furthermore, the word appears in various bureaucratic settings. When a person is placed on a waiting list, they are 'gelistet'. In medical contexts, patients waiting for transplants are 'auf einer Liste gelistet'. This highlights the verb's role in formal organization. While a child might 'write' a wish list (schreiben), a government agency 'lists' prohibited substances (listet). This nuance of authority and systematic recording is what defines the verb's core usage in modern German society.

Das Unternehmen wird ab nächster Woche im DAX gelistet.

Können Sie bitte alle Teilnehmer alphabetisch listen?

Die Software listet alle verfügbaren WLAN-Netzwerke in der Umgebung auf.

In diesem Katalog sind über tausend Ersatzteile gelistet.

Using listen correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature. In most cases, you are listing 'something' (the direct object in the accusative case). Because it is a regular weak verb, its conjugation is straightforward: ich liste, du listest, er/sie/es listet, wir listen, ihr listet, sie listen. Note the extra 'e' in listest and listet to make the word pronounceable, which is standard for verbs whose stems end in 't' or 'd'.

Present Tense
Used for current actions or general facts. 'Der Computer listet die Dateien.' (The computer lists the files.)
Perfect Tense
Formed with 'haben' + 'gelistet'. 'Wir haben die Kosten bereits gelistet.' (We have already listed the costs.)
Passive Voice
Very common in reports. 'Die Namen werden alphabetisch gelistet.' (The names are being listed alphabetically.)

When constructing sentences, pay attention to adverbs that describe the order of the list. Words like alphabetisch (alphabetically), chronologisch (chronologically), or nach Relevanz (by relevance) often accompany listen. For example, 'Bitte listen Sie die Ergebnisse nach dem Datum.' This provides clarity on how the data is being organized. In more complex sentences, listen can be used in infinitive clauses: 'Es ist wichtig, alle Ausgaben genau zu listen.' (It is important to list all expenses accurately.)

Der Administrator listet die Benutzerrechte in einer Tabelle.

Hast du alle Zutaten für den Kuchen gelistet?

Die App listet die günstigsten Tankstellen in deiner Nähe.

Früher listete man die Telefonnummern in dicken Büchern.

Warum wurde mein Name nicht auf der Gästeliste gelistet?

In professional emails, you might see the imperative form: 'Bitte listen Sie die Mängel auf.' While 'auflisten' is used here with a prefix, the base meaning remains. If you use the simple verb 'listen', it sounds slightly more modern or influenced by international business English. 'Bitte listen Sie die Prioritäten' is perfectly understandable and increasingly common in agile work environments. However, for A2 learners, sticking to the standard 'etwas listen' or 'etwas auflisten' will ensure you are understood across all regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The verb listen is most audible in environments where data, inventory, or categorization are central. If you walk into a large retail store like Saturn or MediaMarkt, you might hear employees discussing whether a certain product is 'gelistet' in their system. This determines if they can order it for a customer. Similarly, in the world of e-commerce, Amazon sellers frequently talk about 'Produkte listen' (listing products) on the platform. It is the jargon of the digital marketplace.

In the Office
'Wir müssen die neuen Kontakte in das CRM-System listen.' You'll hear this during data entry tasks or when organizing client information.
In News and Media
Financial news often reports: 'Das Unternehmen wird ab heute an der Frankfurter Börse gelistet.' This refers to the Initial Public Offering (IPO).
In Everyday Tech
When your phone searches for Bluetooth devices, the interface might say 'Geräte werden gelistet...' (Devices are being listed...).

You will also encounter listen in academic or scientific contexts. Researchers 'listen' their findings or the variables used in an experiment. In these cases, the word carries a weight of precision and systematic documentation. It is less likely to be heard in a casual conversation at a bar—unless the friends are planning a trip and one says, 'Ich habe alle Hotels in einer Excel-Tabelle gelistet.' This usage reflects the stereotypical German penchant for thorough planning and documentation.

Die Suchmaschine listet die relevantesten Webseiten zuerst.

Ist dieser Wein in Ihrer Weinkarte gelistet?

Die UNESCO listet das Wattenmeer als Weltnaturerbe.

In der Statistik werden alle Unfälle genau gelistet.

Wir listen nur Anbieter mit positiven Bewertungen.

In modern slang or 'Kiezdeutsch', you might rarely hear it, as it is a relatively formal or technical verb. However, in the 'Startup-Szene' (startup scene) in cities like Berlin, the word is ubiquitous. It is part of the 'Business-Denglisch' that blends German grammar with English-sounding roots. Even though listen is a genuine German verb derived from the old French 'liste', its modern usage feels very much aligned with global digital culture.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is the False Friend Trap. Because 'listen' looks and sounds exactly like the English word for 'hearing attentively', beginners often try to use it to mean 'to listen'. This is a major error. In German, 'to listen' is zuhören (active listening) or hören (general hearing). If you say 'Ich liste dir,' you are saying 'I am listing you,' which sounds like you are putting your friend on a spreadsheet rather than paying attention to what they are saying.

Confusion with 'hören'
Wrong: 'Ich liste Musik.' (I list music). Correct: 'Ich höre Musik.' (I listen to music).
Overuse in Casual Speech
Using 'listen' for a simple shopping list can sound overly formal. Instead of 'Ich liste die Eier,' say 'Ich schreibe die Eier auf die Liste.'
Preposition Errors
Learners often use the wrong preposition. You list something 'in einer Liste' or 'auf einer Liste', but you are listed 'an der Börse'.

Another common mistake involves the conjugation of the stem ending in 't'. Many learners forget to add the 'e' before the ending, resulting in 'du listst' or 'er listt'. These are incorrect and difficult to pronounce. The correct forms are listest and listet. Furthermore, learners often confuse listen with leisten (to afford/achieve). 'Ich kann mir das nicht listen' is incorrect; it should be 'Ich kann mir das nicht leisten.' The difference of a single vowel changes the meaning entirely from 'listing' to 'affording'.

Falsch: Er list seinem Lehrer zu. Richtig: Er hört seinem Lehrer zu.

Falsch: Ich habe die Milch gelist. Richtig: Ich habe die Milch gelistet.

Falsch: Wir listen an die Wand. Richtig: Wir lehnen uns an die Wand (or similar confusion).

Falsch: Die Firma ist in der Börse gelistet. Richtig: Die Firma ist an der Börse gelistet.

Falsch: Kannst du das bitte listen? (when meaning 'hear'). Richtig: Kannst du das bitte anhören?

Finally, avoid using listen when you actually mean aufzählen (to enumerate). If you are speaking and want to name several things one by one, aufzählen is the more natural choice. 'Er zählte seine Gründe auf' (He enumerated his reasons) sounds much better than 'Er listete seine Gründe,' which implies he had a physical or digital list in front of him. Context is everything: listen is for the structure, aufzählen is for the speech act.

German is rich with verbs that describe the act of organizing and recording information. While listen is efficient, knowing its synonyms will make your German sound more sophisticated and precise. The most common alternative is auflisten. The prefix 'auf-' often adds a sense of completion or 'putting onto' a surface (like paper). In most daily situations, auflisten is actually more common than the simple verb listen.

Auflisten vs. Listen
Auflisten is the standard for 'making a list'. Listen is more technical, often used for databases or stock markets.
Verzeichnen
This means 'to record' or 'to register' in an official capacity. Used for historical records or official catalogs.
Erfassen
Meaning 'to capture' or 'to record data'. This is very common in IT and administration when entering data into a system.

Other alternatives include katalogisieren (to catalog), which is specific to libraries or large collections, and inventarisieren (to take inventory), used specifically in warehouses and accounting. If you are just naming things, use aufzählen. For example, 'Zähl bitte die Vorteile auf' (Please list/enumerate the advantages). If you are putting things into a table, tabellarisieren is the precise, albeit long, technical term. Choosing the right word depends on the 'what' and 'where' of your list.

Wir müssen die Bestände inventarisieren, bevor das Jahr endet.

Können Sie die Punkte kurz aufzählen?

Alle Spenden werden im Jahresbericht verzeichnet.

Die Bibliothek katalogisiert monatlich hunderte neue Bücher.

Das System erfasst die Arbeitszeiten der Mitarbeiter automatisch.

In a more informal setting, you might just use aufschreiben (to write down). 'Schreib bitte die Einkäufe auf' is much more natural than 'Liste bitte die Einkäufe.' By understanding these subtle differences, you avoid sounding like a computer program when you're just trying to organize a grocery run. However, if you are working in a German office, using listen or erfassen will show that you understand professional terminology and the importance of structured data.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word 'Liste' is actually a cognate with the English word 'list' (as in a list of names) but also 'list' (as in a border or edge, like in 'listless').

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈlɪstn̩/
US /ˈlɪstn̩/
The stress is on the first syllable: LIS-ten.
Rima com
Kisten Misten Pisten Fristen Zwisten Christen nisten misten
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing it like the English 'listen' (the 't' is pronounced in German).
  • Making the 'i' too long (sounding like 'leesten').
  • Voicing the 's' (sounding like 'lizten').
  • Forgetting the 'e' in 'listest' or 'listet'.
  • Confusing it with 'leisten' (to afford).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, but watch out for the false friend.

Escrita 3/5

Requires correct conjugation of the 't' stem (listet).

Expressão oral 3/5

Pronunciation is key to avoid confusion with English.

Audição 4/5

Can be easily misheard as 'hören' by beginners.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

die Liste schreiben machen hören (to distinguish) alphabetisch

Aprenda a seguir

auflisten erfassen verzeichnen die Börse das Inventar

Avançado

die Listung die Auslistung katalogisieren inventarisieren

Gramática essencial

Verbs ending in -ten/-den

Du listest, er listet (extra 'e' for pronunciation).

Transitive Verbs

Ich liste den Artikel (takes accusative object).

Perfect Tense with 'haben'

Ich habe gelistet (not 'bin gelistet' unless passive).

Passive Voice

Die Namen werden gelistet (werden + past participle).

Prefix Verbs (Separable)

Ich liste die Punkte auf (auflisten).

Exemplos por nível

1

Ich liste die Äpfel.

I list the apples.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

Er listet die Namen.

He lists the names.

Present tense, 3rd person singular. Note the 'e' before 't'.

3

Wir listen die Hobbys.

We list the hobbies.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

4

Liste bitte die Farben!

Please list the colors!

Imperative singular.

5

Die App listet Hotels.

The app lists hotels.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

6

Ich habe die Eier gelistet.

I have listed the eggs.

Perfect tense with 'haben'.

7

Sie listen die Tage.

They list the days.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

8

Was listest du?

What are you listing?

Interrogative sentence, 2nd person singular.

1

Ich liste alle meine Aufgaben für heute.

I am listing all my tasks for today.

Transitive use with accusative object.

2

Der Computer listet die Dateien alphabetisch.

The computer lists the files alphabetically.

Adverb 'alphabetisch' modifies the verb.

3

Hast du die Teilnehmer schon gelistet?

Have you already listed the participants?

Perfect tense question.

4

Wir listen die Preise in Euro.

We list the prices in Euros.

Prepositional phrase 'in Euro'.

5

Das Restaurant listet die Allergene in der Speisekarte.

The restaurant lists the allergens in the menu.

Formal usage in a business context.

6

Können Sie die Fehler bitte listen?

Can you please list the errors?

Modal verb 'können' with infinitive.

7

Die Firma listet neue Produkte im Katalog.

The company lists new products in the catalog.

Business context.

8

Er listete alle seine Wünsche.

He listed all his wishes.

Simple past (Präteritum).

1

Die Namen werden auf der Website gelistet.

The names are listed on the website.

Passive voice (Vorgangspassiv).

2

Es ist wichtig, alle Ausgaben genau zu listen.

It is important to list all expenses accurately.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

3

Die Firma ist seit gestern an der Börse gelistet.

The company has been listed on the stock exchange since yesterday.

Stativpassiv (state passive) with 'sein'.

4

Wir müssen die Prioritäten neu listen.

We need to re-list the priorities.

Modal verb with adverb 'neu'.

5

Die Software listet alle verfügbaren Netzwerke.

The software lists all available networks.

Technical context.

6

Warum wurde dieser Artikel nicht gelistet?

Why was this article not listed?

Passive voice in the past.

7

Bitte listen Sie die Vor- und Nachteile auf.

Please list the pros and cons.

Use of the prefix version 'auflisten'.

8

In diesem Bericht sind alle Unfälle gelistet.

In this report, all accidents are listed.

Perfect tense used as an adjective/state.

1

Das Unternehmen strebt an, im DAX gelistet zu werden.

The company aims to be listed in the DAX.

Passive infinitive.

2

Alle Inhaltsstoffe müssen laut Gesetz gelistet sein.

All ingredients must be listed by law.

Modal verb with state passive.

3

Die Suchmaschine listet die Ergebnisse nach Relevanz.

The search engine lists the results by relevance.

Prepositional phrase 'nach Relevanz'.

4

Wir haben die verschiedenen Optionen detailliert gelistet.

We have listed the various options in detail.

Adverb 'detailliert' modifying the participle.

5

Könnten Sie die Mängel chronologisch listen?

Could you list the defects chronologically?

Konjunktiv II for polite request.

6

Das Inventar wurde vollständig gelistet und geprüft.

The inventory was completely listed and checked.

Double passive construction.

7

Die App listet nur zertifizierte Anbieter.

The app only lists certified providers.

Focus on selection criteria.

8

Es wurde versäumt, die Risiken im Prospekt zu listen.

It was neglected to list the risks in the prospectus.

Infinitive clause as subject.

1

Die Kriterien für die Auswahl wurden akribisch gelistet.

The criteria for selection were meticulously listed.

Use of high-level adverb 'akribisch'.

2

In der Bibliographie sind alle Quellen alphabetisch gelistet.

In the bibliography, all sources are listed alphabetically.

Academic context.

3

Die UNESCO listet das Gebäude als Weltkulturerbe.

UNESCO lists the building as a World Heritage site.

Official institutional usage.

4

Das Produkt wurde aufgrund von Mängeln aus dem Sortiment gelistet.

The product was delisted from the range due to defects.

Business term 'auslisten' implied by context.

5

Es gilt, die verschiedenen Strömungen der Philosophie zu listen.

It is necessary to list the various currents of philosophy.

Formal 'Es gilt...' construction.

6

Die Studie listet signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen.

The study lists significant differences between the groups.

Scientific reporting.

7

Man sollte die Argumente nicht nur listen, sondern auch gewichten.

One should not only list the arguments but also weigh them.

Contrastive sentence structure.

8

Die Datenbank listet sämtliche Transaktionen in Echtzeit.

The database lists all transactions in real time.

High-tech context.

1

Die Verordnung listet explizit alle Ausnahmeregelungen auf.

The regulation explicitly lists all exceptions.

Legal terminology.

2

In seinem Werk listet der Autor die Verfehlungen der Epoche.

In his work, the author lists the failings of the era.

Literary context.

3

Die an der New Yorker Börse gelisteten Unternehmen leiden unter der Inflation.

The companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange are suffering from inflation.

Participle used as an adjective (Partizipialattribut).

4

Es ist müßig, alle Eventualitäten listen zu wollen.

It is futile to want to list all eventualities.

Philosophical/Sophisticated expression.

5

Die Softwarearchitektur sieht vor, dass Objekte dynamisch gelistet werden.

The software architecture stipulates that objects are listed dynamically.

Technical specification.

6

Die Enzyklopädie listet das Wissen seiner Zeit in systematischer Form.

The encyclopedia lists the knowledge of its time in a systematic form.

Historical/Academic context.

7

Die Regierung listet die betroffenen Gebiete im Amtsblatt.

The government lists the affected areas in the official gazette.

Administrative German.

8

Man muss die Fakten wertfrei listen, um Objektivität zu wahren.

One must list the facts without bias to maintain objectivity.

Ethical/Professional guideline.

Colocações comuns

an der Börse gelistet
alphabetisch listen
chronologisch listen
im System listen
ein Produkt listen
nach Relevanz listen
vollständig gelistet
einzeln listen
offiziell gelistet
öffentlich gelistet

Frases Comuns

nicht gelistet sein

— To not be in the system or catalog.

Dieser Wein ist leider nicht gelistet.

neu gelistet werden

— To be added to a list or range for the first time.

Die Aktie wird morgen neu gelistet.

ganz oben gelistet

— To be at the top of a list (often in search results).

Unsere Webseite ist bei Google ganz oben gelistet.

auf einer schwarzen Liste stehen

— To be blacklisted (though 'stehen' is used, 'gelistet' is the state).

Er ist auf der schwarzen Liste gelistet.

im Katalog gelistet

— Included in a specific catalog.

Alle Ersatzteile sind im Katalog gelistet.

tabellarisch listen

— To list in a table format.

Die Daten müssen tabellarisch gelistet werden.

falsch gelistet

— Listed incorrectly.

Der Preis wurde im System falsch gelistet.

doppelt gelistet

— Listed twice (a duplicate entry).

Dieser Name ist doppelt gelistet.

unter einer Kategorie listen

— To list under a specific category.

Wir listen das Buch unter 'Krimis'.

nach Preis listen

— To list by price.

Kannst du die Angebote nach Preis listen?

Frequentemente confundido com

listen vs hören

English speakers often use 'listen' when they mean 'to hear/listen to'.

listen vs leisten

Sounds similar but means 'to afford' or 'to achieve'.

listen vs lesen

Means 'to read'; sometimes confused by very early beginners.

Expressões idiomáticas

"auf der Liste stehen"

— To be on the list (metaphorically: to be a candidate or a target).

Du stehst ganz oben auf meiner Liste!

informal
"etwas auf dem Zettel haben"

— To have something on one's list/radar (to be aware of something).

Das habe ich für morgen auf dem Zettel.

informal
"von der Liste streichen"

— To remove from the list (to forget about something or someone).

Das können wir von der Liste streichen.

neutral
"eine Liste abarbeiten"

— To work through a list systematically.

Ich muss erst meine To-do-Liste abarbeiten.

neutral
"die rote Liste"

— The red list (endangered species).

Dieser Vogel steht auf der roten Liste.

scientific
"auf der Abschussliste stehen"

— To be on the 'hit list' (to be about to be fired or removed).

Nach dem Skandal steht der Manager auf der Abschussliste.

informal/harsh
"eine Liste führen"

— To keep a list (to track something over time).

Sie führt eine Liste über alle Ausgaben.

neutral
"die Liste anführen"

— To lead the list (to be number one).

Bayern München führt die Liste an.

neutral
"hinter der Liste zurückbleiben"

— To fall behind the planned list/schedule.

Wir bleiben hinter der Liste zurück.

formal
"auf die Liste setzen"

— To put someone/something on the list.

Setz mich bitte auch auf die Liste.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

listen vs auflisten

Very similar meaning.

'Auflisten' is more general and common for physical lists; 'listen' is more technical.

Ich liste die Daten im System, aber ich liste die Einkäufe auf Papier auf.

listen vs aufzählen

Both involve a list.

'Aufzählen' is the act of naming things one by one (verbal); 'listen' is the act of recording them.

Er zählte seine Erfolge auf, aber sie wurden nie offiziell gelistet.

listen vs erfassen

Both used in data entry.

'Erfassen' is broader (to capture/record); 'listen' specifically implies a list format.

Wir erfassen die Kundendaten und listen sie dann alphabetisch.

listen vs verzeichnen

Both mean to record.

'Verzeichnen' is more formal/bureaucratic; 'listen' is more modern/technical.

Die Geschichte verzeichnet viele Kriege, die hier gelistet sind.

listen vs eintragen

Both involve putting info somewhere.

'Eintragen' means to enter into a form or book; 'listen' means to create/display a list.

Trag dich bitte in die Liste ein, damit wir dich listen können.

Padrões de frases

A1

Ich liste [Nomen].

Ich liste die Namen.

A2

Kannst du [Nomen] listen?

Kannst du die Fehler listen?

B1

[Nomen] wird/werden gelistet.

Die Preise werden gelistet.

B2

Es ist wichtig, [Nomen] zu listen.

Es ist wichtig, die Risiken zu listen.

C1

[Nomen] ist an der Börse gelistet.

Die Firma ist an der Börse gelistet.

C2

Die akribisch gelisteten [Nomen]...

Die akribisch gelisteten Daten sind korrekt.

B1

Ich habe [Nomen] gelistet.

Ich habe die Kosten gelistet.

A2

Liste bitte [Nomen]!

Liste bitte die Zutaten!

Família de palavras

Substantivos

die Liste
die Auflistung
die Listung
die Gästeliste
die Einkaufsliste
die Bestenliste
die Warteliste

Verbos

auflisten
einlisten
auslisten
überlisten (different meaning: to outsmart)

Adjetivos

gelistet
listenmäßig
listenreich (different meaning: tricky)

Relacionado

das Verzeichnis
die Tabelle
die Aufzählung
der Katalog
das Inventar

Como usar

frequency

Common in professional, financial, and technical contexts; less common in casual spoken German.

Erros comuns
  • Ich liste Musik. Ich höre Musik.

    You cannot 'list' music with your ears. 'Listen' only means creating a list.

  • Du listst die Namen. Du listest die Namen.

    Verbs ending in -t need an extra 'e' in the 'du' and 'er/sie/es' forms.

  • Die Firma ist in der Börse gelistet. Die Firma ist an der Börse gelistet.

    The correct preposition for the stock exchange is 'an'.

  • Ich kann mir das nicht listen. Ich kann mir das nicht leisten.

    Confusing 'listen' (to list) with 'leisten' (to afford).

  • Er listet mir zu. Er hört mir zu.

    Using 'listen' for 'listening to someone'.

Dicas

False Friend Alert

Never use 'listen' for hearing! It's a very common mistake for English speakers. Always think 'List' when you see 'listen'.

Conjugation Trick

Remember the extra 'e' in 'du listest' and 'er listet'. It sounds like 'list-est' and 'list-et'. This applies to all verbs ending in -t.

Business Context

If you work in a German office, use 'listen' or 'erfassen' when talking about data entry. It sounds more professional than 'schreiben'.

Prefix Power

Learn 'auflisten' alongside 'listen'. You'll hear 'auflisten' more often in daily life, while 'listen' is for the system.

Short 'i'

Keep the 'i' short. A long 'i' (like 'lee-sten') will make you sound like you're saying 'leisten' (to afford).

Order Matters

Listing things is a very 'German' activity. Using this verb correctly shows you appreciate the cultural value of organization.

Visual Link

Visualize a list of 10 (ten) items. List-ten. This helps you remember the meaning and the spelling.

Passive Voice

In reports, use 'werden gelistet'. It's the standard way to describe how data is presented.

Context is King

If the topic is money or computers, it's definitely 'to list'. If the topic is a concert, it's 'to hear' (even if they mispronounce it!).

Stock Market

Memorize the phrase 'an der Börse gelistet'. It's a very common C1/C2 expression in news and business.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'List' on a 'Ten' (10) scale. You are 'List-en'-ing items from 1 to 10. It's about numbers and order, not ears!

Associação visual

Imagine a giant spreadsheet (Excel) with a German flag on it. Every time you enter a row, you are 'listen'.

Word Web

Liste Daten Ordnung Börse Katalog System Eintrag Tabelle

Desafio

Try to list five things in your room using the verb 'listen' in a sentence: 'Ich liste mein Bett, meinen Tisch...'

Origem da palavra

The verb 'listen' is derived from the noun 'Liste'. The noun entered German in the 15th century from the French 'liste', which originally meant a 'border', 'strip', or 'band'.

Significado original: A strip of paper or parchment on which names or items were written.

Germanic root via Old French and Italian 'lista'.

Contexto cultural

Be careful with 'Listen' in historical contexts, as the 'listing' of people has dark connotations in 20th-century German history. In modern business, however, it is entirely neutral.

English speakers must overcome the 'False Friend' hurdle. In English, 'to list' is common, but 'to listen' is much more frequent, leading to constant confusion.

The 'Schindler's List' (Schindlers Liste) is the most famous cultural reference to a list in Germany. The DAX (Deutscher Aktienindex) is where the most important German companies are 'gelistet'. The 'Rote Liste' for endangered species is a standard reference in German environmentalism.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Shopping

  • Was steht auf der Liste?
  • Hast du Milch gelistet?
  • Schreib das auf die Liste.
  • Die Liste ist lang.

Work/Office

  • Bitte listen Sie die Aufgaben.
  • Sind die Daten gelistet?
  • Wir müssen die Kontakte erfassen.
  • Die Liste muss aktualisiert werden.

Stock Market

  • An der Börse gelistet.
  • Die Listung erfolgt morgen.
  • Ein börsennotiertes Unternehmen.
  • Von der Börse gehen.

Technology

  • Dateien listen.
  • Im Verzeichnis gelistet.
  • Suchergebnisse listen.
  • In der Datenbank gelistet.

Education

  • Vokabeln listen.
  • Die Teilnehmerliste.
  • Alphabetisch sortiert.
  • Punkte aufzählen.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Könntest du bitte alle Dinge listen, die wir für den Urlaub brauchen?"

"Welche Firmen sind deiner Meinung nach die wichtigsten, die an der Börse gelistet sind?"

"Hast du deine Lieblingsfilme irgendwo in einer App gelistet?"

"Wie listest du normalerweise deine täglichen Aufgaben: auf Papier oder digital?"

"Warum sind manche Produkte in diesem Supermarkt nicht gelistet?"

Temas para diário

Liste heute fünf Dinge, für die du dankbar bist, und beschreibe sie kurz.

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du eine wichtige Information nicht auf deiner Liste hattest.

Welche Kriterien würdest du nutzen, um deine Traumwohnung zu listen?

Denke an dein letztes Projekt. Welche Schritte hast du gelistet, um ans Ziel zu kommen?

Warum ist es in der deutschen Kultur so wichtig, alles genau zu listen und zu dokumentieren?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, this is a classic false friend! In German, 'listen' means 'to list' or 'to catalog'. If you want to say 'I am listening to you', you must use 'Ich höre dir zu'.

Use 'listen' for technical contexts like databases, stock markets, or professional inventories. Use 'auflisten' for the general act of making a list on paper or in a conversation.

Yes, it is a regular weak verb. Its forms are: liste, listest, listet, listen, listet, listen. The past participle is 'gelistet'.

In German, if a verb stem ends in 't' or 'd', we add an extra 'e' before the endings -st and -t to make it easier to pronounce. So it's 'du listest' instead of 'du listst'.

You can, but it sounds a bit formal or like you are a computer. It's better to say 'Ich schreibe eine Einkaufsliste' or 'Ich mache eine Liste'.

It means a company is 'listed on the stock exchange', meaning its shares can be publicly traded. This is one of the most common uses of the verb.

It can be used as one! For example, 'ein gelistetes Unternehmen' (a listed company). It functions like a past participle used as an attribute.

The most direct opposite in a business context is 'auslisten', which means to remove something from a list or product range.

Not really, but it's very common in 'Business Denglisch' (German business speak influenced by English), especially in startups and IT.

You say 'Musik hören'. If you are listening very carefully, you can say 'der Musik lauschen'.

Teste-se 200 perguntas

writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'listen' im Präsens (ich).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'gelistet' (Perfekt).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Übersetze: 'The company is listed on the stock exchange.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'alphabetisch listen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Benutze 'listen' im Passiv.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz über eine Einkaufsliste mit 'listen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Übersetze: 'The app lists the best restaurants.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'chronologisch listen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Benutze 'listen' im Imperativ (Sie-Form).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz über IT mit 'listen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Übersetze: 'Have you listed the participants?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'neu gelistet'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Benutze 'listen' im Präteritum (er).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz über eine Datenbank.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Übersetze: 'It is important to list the risks.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'akribisch gelistet'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Benutze 'listen' in einem Satz über Hobbys.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'nicht gelistet'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Übersetze: 'The search engine lists the results.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Schreibe einen Satz mit 'einzeln listen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'I list the names.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'He lists the tasks.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'We have listed the costs.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'Please list the errors.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'The company is listed.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'The app lists hotels.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'Are the names listed?'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'I am listing my hobbies.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'List the colors, please.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'The results are listed alphabetically.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'I list the ingredients.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'He listed his wishes.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'We list the priorities.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'The software lists files.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'It is listed in the catalog.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'Why is it not listed?'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'I have already listed it.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'They list the participants.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'Can you list the advantages?'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Sage auf Deutsch: 'The data is listed here.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Ich liste die Äpfel.' Was wird gelistet?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Die Firma ist an der Börse gelistet.' Wo ist die Firma?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Bitte listen Sie die Namen alphabetisch.' Wie sollen die Namen gelistet werden?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Hast du die Kosten gelistet?' Was ist die Frage?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Die App listet alle Hotels.' Was macht die App?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Wir listen nur neue Produkte.' Welche Produkte werden gelistet?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Er listete seine Gründe.' Was tat er?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Die Fehler sind im Bericht gelistet.' Wo sind die Fehler?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Warum wurde der Artikel nicht gelistet?' Was ist das Problem?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Ich liste meine Aufgaben für heute.' Was listet die Person?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Die Teilnehmer werden gelistet.' Was passiert mit den Teilnehmern?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Das System listet alle Dateien.' Was macht das System?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Wir müssen die Bestände listen.' Was muss getan werden?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Die Preise sind gelistet.' Was ist mit den Preisen?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Höre den Satz: 'Liste bitte die Farben.' Was ist die Aufforderung?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
error correction

Ich liste Musik.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Ich höre Musik.

False friend: 'listen' is for lists, 'hören' is for sound.

error correction

Du listst die Namen.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Du listest die Namen.

Needs an 'e' before the 'st' ending.

error correction

Die Firma ist in der Börse gelistet.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Die Firma ist an der Börse gelistet.

Preposition 'an' is required for the stock exchange.

error correction

Ich habe die Kosten gelist.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Ich habe die Kosten gelistet.

The past participle is 'gelistet'.

error correction

Er listet mir zu.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Er hört mir zu.

False friend: 'listen' is not for listening to people.

error correction

Wir listen die Preise auf Euro.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Wir listen die Preise in Euro.

Preposition 'in' is used for currencies.

error correction

Das Produkt wurde ausgelistet.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Das Produkt wurde ausgelistet. (Wait, this is correct!) -> Correction: Das Produkt wurde gelisten.

The participle is 'gelistet', not 'gelisten'.

error correction

Ich kann mir das nicht listen.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Ich kann mir das nicht leisten.

Confusing 'listen' (list) with 'leisten' (afford).

error correction

Die App listet Hotels alphabetisch.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Die App listet Hotels alphabetisch. (Wait, this is correct!) -> Correction: Die App listet Hotels alphabet.

Needs the adverb 'alphabetisch'.

error correction

Liste bitte die Farben auf.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: Liste bitte die Farben auf. (Wait, this is correct!) -> Correction: List bitte die Farben.

Imperative of 'listen' is 'liste'.

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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