Questions & Answers about Hörst du den Alarm?
Why do we say den Alarm and not der Alarm?
Because the alarm is the direct object of the sentence (the thing being heard). Since Alarm is a masculine noun (der Alarm), it changes to the accusative case and becomes den Alarm.
Could I use the verb zuhören here instead of hören?
No, because they describe different actions. Hören means to physically perceive a sound, which is why it is used for a sudden noise like an alarm. Zuhören means to actively pay attention and listen to someone or something, like a teacher or a podcast.
Since this lesson is about 'r-' prefixes like raus, is raushören a real word?
Yes! The separable verb raushören (a shortened, conversational form of heraushören) is very common. You use it when you pick out a specific sound from a lot of background noise, or when you detect a hidden tone in someone's voice, like hearing the sarcasm in what they are saying.
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