Topic: German

"He does not listen."

Translation:Er hört nicht.

April 7, 2013

7 Comments

https://www.duolingo.com/Soglio
  • 11

? Doesn't "Er hört nicht" mean "He does not hear" rather than "He does not listen"?

April 7, 2013
https://www.duolingo.com/christian
Mod

    It depends on the context. If this is about obedience or following instructions, "Er hört nicht" is fine. Otherwise, it should be "Er hört nicht zu".

    April 7, 2013
    https://www.duolingo.com/BillDe
    Plus
    • 615

    Isn't there a better way to make this distinction in German? In English "He doesn't listen." carries very many different meanings than "He doesn't hear." German must have a way to make these differences too.

    June 8, 2013
    https://www.duolingo.com/Soglio
    • 11

    Thank you.

    April 7, 2013
    https://www.duolingo.com/dimrub

      Why er hort zu nicht was not accepted?

      July 4, 2014
      https://www.duolingo.com/Levi
      • 2011

      That would need to be "Er hört nicht zu." Did you see Christian's comment above?
      2014.07.04

      July 4, 2014
      https://www.duolingo.com/AlexRdv

        "er hört nicht auf" is also fine?

        July 28, 2015
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