The idea
Use das Ohr for the nominative singular, das Ohr for the accusative, dem Ohr for the dative, and des Ohres for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Ohren.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Ohr | die Ohren |
| Akkusativ | das Ohr | die Ohren |
| Dativ | dem Ohr | den Ohren |
| Genitiv | des Ohres | der Ohren |
Meaning and useful combinations
Ohr is neuter and adds en in the plural. Ein offenes Ohr haben is a figurative expression for being willing to listen.
Useful combinations: die Ohren zuhalten; ein offenes Ohr haben; am Ohr. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Ohrdas OhrThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Ohr. In the meaning taught here, Ohr is neuter. The nominative plural is die Ohren. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das linke Ohr der Puppe ist abgefallen.The doll's left ear has fallen off.
- Ich halte ein Ohr an die dünne Wand.I hold one ear against the thin wall.
- An ihrem Ohr hängt ein kleiner silberner Ring.A small silver ring hangs from her ear.
- Die Form des Ohres wurde im Bild genau dargestellt.The shape of the ear was represented precisely in the picture.
- Die Ohren des Hundes richten sich plötzlich auf.The dog's ears suddenly perk up.
- Mit kalten Ohren macht der Spaziergang wenig Spaß.The walk is not much fun with cold ears.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Ohr — die Ohren. Ohr is neuter and adds en in the plural. Ein offenes Ohr haben is a figurative expression for being willing to listen.
Try it yourself
___ Ohr (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Ohr is neuter.
Plural: das Ohr → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Ohren
Ohren: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ohr (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Ohr.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Ohr (der / die / das)
Plural: das Ohr → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ohr (dem / der)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Read the six situations, identify Ohr and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.