it doesn't have the meaning of a preposition in this sentence. it's part of the separable verb "zuhören" which means to listen. hören means hear, zuhören means listen (to a person). it always comes with a dative
Ich höre dir zu.
"Dir" is dative of "du".
in separable verbs in german, the preposition contained in the verb is taken away from the rest of the verb and put somewhere else in the sentence, usually at the end. so for example "anziehen", to dress: Ich ziehe das Kleid an. "einschlafen", to fall asleep: ich schlafe auf dem Sofa ein."
The "zu" here has no influence on other words, it's just part of the verb and doesn't change, always stays "zu".
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it doesn't have the meaning of a preposition in this sentence. it's part of the separable verb "zuhören" which means to listen. hören means hear, zuhören means listen (to a person). it always comes with a dative
Ich höre dir zu.
"Dir" is dative of "du".
in separable verbs in german, the preposition contained in the verb is taken away from the rest of the verb and put somewhere else in the sentence, usually at the end. so for example "anziehen", to dress: Ich ziehe das Kleid an. "einschlafen", to fall asleep: ich schlafe auf dem Sofa ein."
The "zu" here has no influence on other words, it's just part of the verb and doesn't change, always stays "zu".
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=14...
My German isn't very good anymore, but it think that means the boy listens "to" as opposed to just the boy listens.
Just like in English we have certain verbs that have a tag on like some german verbs.
Like "call up". I just called my mother up.
Good luck, I wish I could be of more help. After awhile you'll pick up an ear for it.
Tschuess.
"zu" is "to" "the youngster is to hear" is probably the literal translation. There's an "e" on the end of "Junge" so it's probably feminine.