un œil
The phrase "one eye" in French is un œil.
The phrase is used to refer to a single organ used for seeing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun œil is masculine, which is why the indefinite article un is used. When you want to refer to more than one eye, the plural form is des yeux.
Did you know?
- In French, the word œil is used in the term œil-de-bœuf, which refers to a small round window. Literally, this translates to 'bull's eye'.
- The French word œil shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ocular'. Both derive from the Latin oculus.
- While un œil is the standard term, the French use le clin d'œil to describe a 'wink' as a noun.
Examples in context
- J'ai fermé un œil.I closed one eye.This sentence is useful for describing the action of closing un œil.Tatoeba #10999596 by Lumpawurump, translation #5858549 by CK
- J'ai ouvert un œil.I opened one eye.This sentence is useful for describing the action of opening un œil.Tatoeba #5549424 by sacredceltic, translation #2439688 by Hybrid
- Il ne voit pas d'un œil.He is blind in one eye.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is blind in one eye using un œil.Tatoeba #133317 by nimfeo, translation #303564 by CK
- Je porte un patch sur un œilI am wearing an eye patch
- Elle a un seul œil bleuShe has one blue eye
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are looking at a strange drawing in a book.
- ChloéRegarde, ce monstre n'a qu'un œil.Look, this monster has only one eye.
- LucasC'est vrai, il a un œil très grand.It's true, it has one very large eye.
- ChloéIl est un peu effrayant, non ?It is a bit scary, isn't it?
- LucasOui, il me fait un peu peur.Yes, it scares me a little.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries un, œil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
