Bedeutung
Someone who is ready to cry.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In 19th-century Russian literature, having 'eyes on a wet place' was often a sign of a 'superfluous man' or a highly sensitive, morally pure character. It wasn't always seen as a weakness. Modern parents might use this phrase to gently tease a child, but there is a growing movement to avoid it as it can be seen as 'invalidating' a child's feelings. Soviet 'melodramas' were designed to keep the audience's 'глаза на мокром месте.' It is a valued emotional experience in Russian culture to feel deeply. While traditionally more associated with women and children, a man having 'глаза на мокром месте' during a patriotic song or a family milestone is increasingly accepted as a sign of 'soulfulness.'
Use with 'У'
Always remember that the person goes in the Genitive case after 'У'. It's the most natural way to use it.
Not for Allergies
Never use this for physical eye problems. It will sound like you are making fun of someone's medical condition.
Bedeutung
Someone who is ready to cry.
Use with 'У'
Always remember that the person goes in the Genitive case after 'У'. It's the most natural way to use it.
Not for Allergies
Never use this for physical eye problems. It will sound like you are making fun of someone's medical condition.
Past Tense
To use it in the past, just add 'были' after 'глаза'. 'У неё глаза были на мокром месте.'
Empathy
In Russia, saying this to someone can be a way of showing you notice their feelings. Use a soft tone of voice.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
У неё всегда глаза на ______ месте.
The idiom is 'на мокром месте'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct form:
Russian uses 'У неё' (Genitive) and the preposition 'на'.
In which situation is this idiom MOST appropriate?
Select the best context:
The idiom is for emotional sensitivity in informal contexts.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты плачешь? — Я не плачу, просто у меня...
This is the standard way to admit being on the verge of tears.
Match the Russian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the closest semantic matches.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Глаза на мокром месте'
Movies
- • Sad endings
- • Touching scenes
Family
- • Weddings
- • Reunions
Children
- • Small injuries
- • Being scolded
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenУ неё всегда глаза на ______ месте.
The idiom is 'на мокром месте'.
Choose the correct form:
Russian uses 'У неё' (Genitive) and the preposition 'на'.
Select the best context:
The idiom is for emotional sensitivity in informal contexts.
— Почему ты плачешь? — Я не плачу, просто у меня...
This is the standard way to admit being on the verge of tears.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the closest semantic matches.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt depends on your tone. It can be a gentle observation or a slight tease, but it's rarely outright insulting.
Yes, but it often implies the man is being particularly sensitive or 'soft' in that moment.
'Плакать' is the verb 'to cry.' This idiom describes the *state* of being about to cry or crying easily.
No, the word 'место' is always singular in this idiom.
Generally no. It's too emotional and informal for a professional environment.
You say 'У меня глаза на мокром месте.'
Not really, but you can just say 'Я сейчас заплачу' (I'm about to cry).
It can mean they are just about to start, or they have just a few tears. It's the 'verge' of crying.
Yes, 'От этой книги у меня глаза на мокром месте.'
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'глаза сухие' (eyes are dry) or 'человек с каменным сердцем' (person with a stone heart).
Yes, it has been used for at least 150-200 years.
Absolutely! It's very common in texting with friends.
Verwandte Redewendungen
распускать нюни
similarto whimper or snivel
плакать в три ручья
builds onto cry very hard
разводить сырость
similarto start crying (slang)
глаза заблестели
specialized formeyes started to shine
слезы на глазах
synonymtears in one's eyes
