Radio hören
To listen to radio
Literally: Radio hear
Use `Radio hören` without an article to describe listening to any broadcast media.
In 15 Seconds
- To listen to radio broadcasts for music or news.
- Commonly used without an article like 'das' in German.
- Essential for describing morning routines and car commutes.
Meaning
It simply describes the act of tuning into a radio broadcast to enjoy music, news, or talk shows. It's that classic background activity you do while driving or making coffee.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a morning routine
Ich höre beim Frühstück immer Radio.
I always listen to the radio during breakfast.
Driving in the car
Wir hören im Auto Radio, um die Staumeldungen zu hören.
We are listening to the radio in the car to hear the traffic reports.
In a professional office setting
Dürfen wir während der Arbeit leise Radio hören?
Are we allowed to listen to the radio quietly while working?
Cultural Background
Radio remains a dominant medium in Germany, largely due to the high quality of public broadcasting. It is culturally synonymous with the 'Feierabend' (end of work) commute and is the primary way Germans receive 'Stau' (traffic jam) updates. The 'Rundfunkbeitrag' fee ensures that radio stations remain a central, ad-free part of many people's daily lives.
Skip the Article
While you can say 'das Radio', it's much more natural to just say 'Radio hören'. It treats 'Radio' as a concept rather than a physical object.
Hören vs. Zuhören
Use 'hören' for the radio. 'Zuhören' implies active listening to a person. If you say 'Ich höre dem Radio zu', it sounds like you're waiting for the radio to tell you a secret.
In 15 Seconds
- To listen to radio broadcasts for music or news.
- Commonly used without an article like 'das' in German.
- Essential for describing morning routines and car commutes.
What It Means
Radio hören is a basic but essential German collocation. It describes the activity of listening to the radio. Unlike English, which requires the preposition 'to' and often the article 'the', German keeps it lean. You aren't just 'hearing' the device; you are consuming the content. It’s a lifestyle verb phrase. It covers everything from the morning news to late-night jazz sets.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is a breeze. In a standard sentence, the verb hören takes the second position. For example, Ich höre Radio. If you use a modal verb like 'want' or 'can', hören jumps to the very end: Ich möchte Radio hören. One quirky thing to remember: you usually don't need the article das. Saying Ich höre das Radio sounds like you are listening to the physical box itself, perhaps checking if the engine is rattling! Stick to the article-free version for natural flow.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for daily routines. Use it when describing your hobbies or how you spend your morning. It’s perfect for small talk at the office. If a colleague asks what you did this morning, Ich habe Radio gehört is a solid answer. It’s also very common in the car. Germans are obsessed with traffic updates, known as Stau-Meldungen. So, if you're stuck on the Autobahn, you’re definitely Radio hören to find a way out.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you are listening to a specific song on your phone or a CD. That would just be Musik hören. Also, if you are listening to a podcast, use Podcasts hören. While radio is a broadcast, a podcast is on-demand. Using Radio hören for a Spotify playlist will make you sound like you’re from 1995. Also, avoid it if you are actively 'listening' to a person speaking to you; that requires zuhören.
Cultural Background
Radio holds a special place in German hearts. Every household in Germany pays a mandatory fee called the Rundfunkbeitrag. This funds public stations like *Deutschlandfunk*. Because everyone pays for it, many people actually use it! It’s the primary source for local news and the legendary 'Blitzer' (speed camera) warnings. In many German kitchens, a small 'Küchenradio' is the heart of the home, providing a soundtrack to breakfast and dinner.
Common Variations
You’ll often hear Radio anmachen (to turn the radio on) or Radio ausmachen (to turn it off). If the radio is just playing in the background without you paying much attention, you might say Das Radio läuft. If you have a favorite station, you’d say Ich höre gerne [Station Name]. For example, Ich höre gerne Bayern 3. It’s a simple phrase, but it opens up a lot of daily conversation.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any context. Just remember that 'hören' is the action verb, and 'Radio' functions as the direct object without needing an article in most casual and neutral settings.
Skip the Article
While you can say 'das Radio', it's much more natural to just say 'Radio hören'. It treats 'Radio' as a concept rather than a physical object.
Hören vs. Zuhören
Use 'hören' for the radio. 'Zuhören' implies active listening to a person. If you say 'Ich höre dem Radio zu', it sounds like you're waiting for the radio to tell you a secret.
The Stau Secret
If you want to sound like a local, mention 'Staumeldungen' (traffic reports). Radio is the king of the road in Germany for this reason alone.
Examples
6Ich höre beim Frühstück immer Radio.
I always listen to the radio during breakfast.
A very common way to describe a daily habit.
Wir hören im Auto Radio, um die Staumeldungen zu hören.
We are listening to the radio in the car to hear the traffic reports.
Reflects the practical use of radio in Germany.
Dürfen wir während der Arbeit leise Radio hören?
Are we allowed to listen to the radio quietly while working?
A polite way to ask for permission in a shared space.
Ich liege gerade auf dem Sofa und höre Radio.
I'm lying on the sofa right now listening to the radio.
Casual and relaxed context.
Mein Nachbar hört so laut Radio, dass ich die Nachrichten auswendig kenne.
My neighbor listens to the radio so loudly that I know the news by heart.
Using the phrase to complain about volume.
Wenn es zu still ist, höre ich einfach ein bisschen Radio.
When it's too quiet, I just listen to a bit of radio.
Radio as a source of comfort or company.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'hören'.
Morgens ___ ich gerne Radio.
Since the subject is 'Ich' (I), the verb 'hören' must be conjugated to 'höre'.
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.
Wir möchten im Auto ___.
In German, the standard collocation for listening to the radio is 'Radio hören' without an article or preposition.
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Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Radio hören'
Chatting with friends about music.
Lass mal Radio hören!
Standard daily usage.
Ich höre Radio.
In an official report or interview.
Die Bürger hören vermehrt Radio.
Where you'll hear 'Radio hören'
In the Kitchen
Beim Kochen Radio hören.
In the Car
Im Stau Radio hören.
At Work
Leise im Büro Radio hören.
In Bed
Zum Einschlafen Radio hören.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsUsually, no. In the phrase Radio hören, the article is omitted to focus on the activity. You only use das Radio when referring to the physical device.
It is completely neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your best friend without any issues.
Hören is for general listening or hearing sounds. Zuhören is for paying close attention to someone speaking, like Hör mir zu! (Listen to me!).
Not really. For podcasts, you should say Podcasts hören. Radio hören specifically implies a live broadcast.
You add the word gerne. The sentence is: Ich höre gerne Radio.
Yes, very! Because of the public funding system, German radio has high-quality programming that many people listen to daily.
You use the verb anmachen. For example: Kannst du bitte das Radio anmachen?
You still say Radio hören. The medium (internet vs. FM waves) doesn't change the phrase.
Yes, it becomes Ich habe Radio gehört. The verb hören follows the regular weak verb pattern.
Adding the word 'zu' (to). In English we say 'listen TO', but in German, it's just Radio hören—no preposition needed!
It is called a Radiosender or simply a Sender.
Related Phrases
Musik hören
To listen to music
Radio anmachen
To turn on the radio
Nachrichten hören
To listen to the news
Einen Sender einstellen
To tune into a station
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