gehorchen
Translation
to obey, to comply with
Examples
Der Hund gehorcht seinem Herrchen.
The dog obeys its master.
Man muss den Gesetzen gehorchen.
One must obey the laws.
Die Soldaten gehorchten dem Befehl.
The soldiers obeyed the command.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.dat)) to obey (sb./sth.) The dog obeys its master.
Similar Words
folgen (to follow); Antonyms: trotzen (to defy), widersprechen (to contradict)
Etymology
From the prefix 'ge-' and 'horchen' (to listen intently). It implies a focused act of listening that leads to action.
Memory Tips
Think 'ge-HÖR-chen' -> you 'hear' (hören) the command and then obey. Remember it always takes the dative case: ask 'wem gehorchen?' (obey whom?).