gehorche mir
The English phrase "obey me" can be translated into German as gehorche mir.
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to do what the speaker says.
Which one should you use?
Hör auf mich! can be used to mean "Listen to me" or "Obey me" in an informal context, whereas Gehorchen Sie mir! is used when addressing someone formally.
Did you know?
- Using gehorche mir in a modern social setting can feel startlingly aggressive, as it is now most commonly heard in the context of military orders or training animals.
- The word gehorchen shares the same root as hören, which means 'to hear'. Historically, the act of obeying was seen as the act of truly hearing and listening to an authority.
- While 'obey me' sounds like a direct command, the German verb gehorchen is intransitive and requires the dative case, meaning you literally 'obey to me'.
Examples in context
- Gehorche mir, wenn ich mit dir rede.Obey me when I am talking to you.
Example conversation
A father is trying to discipline his rebellious daughter.
- FelixHannah, gehorche mir!Hannah, obey me!
- HannahNein, das mache ich nicht.No, I'm not doing that.
- FelixDu wirst mir gehorchen, sonst gibt es Ärger.You will obey me, otherwise there will be trouble.
- HannahDu bist so streng, Papa.You are so strict, Dad.
