Auge
/ˈaʊ̯ɡə/neuter
The German word for eye is Auge.
Auge refers to the organ of sight. It is a neuter noun, so you use the definite article das (the eye) or possessive pronouns like mein Auge (my eye). The phrase im Auge behalten can be used literally to mean watching something, or figuratively to mean keeping a goal or a person in mind. There is also an idiomatic expression, jemandem die Augen öffnen, which means to help someone gain insight or understanding.
Meaning: organ (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Auge is the singular form, Augen is the plural form. Use das Auge when referring to one eye and die Augen when referring to the eyes.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Auge is a neuter noun. The plural form is Augen. The genitive singular form, used to say 'of the eye', is des Auges.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaʊ̯ɡə/
Did you know?
- A 'needle's eye' is called das Nadelöhr in German, which literally translates to 'the needle ear'.
- To describe something as 'catching the eye', Germans use the phrase ins Auge fallen, which literally means 'to fall into the eye'.
- The German word Auge is a direct cognate of the English word 'eye', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₃ekʷ-.
Examples in context
- Das ist ein Auge.This is an eye.This sentence identifies an eye.Tatoeba #4816311 by bonny37, translation #1761979 by Dejo
- Behalte ihn im Auge!Keep an eye on him.Tatoeba #1654423 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1418900 by Spamster
- Behalte sie im Auge!Keep your eye on her.Tatoeba #1654429 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1652185 by Spamster
- Sie hat mir die Augen geöffnet, als sie mir von ihren Erfahrungen erzählte.She opened my eyes when she told me about her experiences.
- 263 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are looking at a painting of a portrait.
- FelixSchau dir das blaue Auge an!Look at the blue eye!
- HannahJa, das Auge sieht sehr echt aus.Yes, the eye looks very real.
- FelixHat er nur ein Auge gemalt?Did he only paint one eye?
- HannahNein, das andere Auge ist im Schatten.No, the other eye is in the shadow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eye” translations and entries Auge, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Auge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
