Brille
/ˈbʁɪlə/
The English phrase "eye glasses" is translated into German as Brille.
If you are referring to corrective glasses specifically, you can use Korrekturbrille. In formal or technical contexts, the term Sehhilfe is used to refer to eyeglasses and other visual aids.
How does it change in a sentence?
Brille is a feminine noun, so it takes the feminine article die (e.g., die Brille). While the English word "glasses" is plural, Brille is used as a singular noun in German. The plural form is Brillen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbʁɪlə/
Did you know?
- In German, the word Brille is used to describe both eyeglasses and a toilet seat. The latter usage comes from the way a toilet seat surrounds a hole, similar to how frames surround the lenses.
- In German, the phrase eine Brille aufsetzen is used to put on glasses, while die Brille absetzen is used to take them off.
- The word Brille is quite distinct from the German word for 'glass' as a material, which is Glas.
Examples in context
- Ich habe eine große, schwarze BrilleI have big, black glasses
- Ich trage eine Brille.I wear glasses.
- Ich brauche eine neue Brille.I need new eye glasses.
- Wo ist meine Brille?Where are my eye glasses?
- Deine Brille sieht sehr gut aus.Your eye glasses look very good.
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are looking for his misplaced reading glasses in the living room.
- FelixSarah, ich finde meine Brille nicht.Sarah, I cannot find my eye glasses.
- SarahLiegt sie vielleicht auf dem Tisch?Are they perhaps lying on the table?
- FelixNein, da ist nur deine Brille.No, there are only your eye glasses there.
- SarahSchau mal, sie liegt auf dem Buch!Look, they are lying on the book!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Brille, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Brille, CC BY-SA 4.0.
