Signification
To watch something or someone closely.
Contexte culturel
The 'Baba' (Grandmother) culture in Bulgaria is the ultimate example of 'държа под око'. Grandmothers often sit on benches outside apartment blocks and keep an eye on everyone entering and leaving. Vigilance is a shared cultural trait in the Balkans due to a history of frequent social and political changes. Keeping an eye on one's surroundings is seen as a sign of intelligence and preparedness. In Bulgarian offices, 'държа под око' is often used by middle management to signal that they are aware of a project's status without necessarily being 'hands-on' yet. Bulgarian parents are known for being 'helicopter parents' (though the term isn't used). 'Държа под око' is the primary duty of a parent at a public beach or park.
Use it for favors
This is the best phrase to use when asking someone to watch your stuff at a cafe or airport. It sounds very natural and polite.
Singular only
Never say 'под очи'. It will immediately mark you as a non-native speaker. Stick to the singular 'око'.
Signification
To watch something or someone closely.
Use it for favors
This is the best phrase to use when asking someone to watch your stuff at a cafe or airport. It sounds very natural and polite.
Singular only
Never say 'под очи'. It will immediately mark you as a non-native speaker. Stick to the singular 'око'.
Combine with 'изкъсо'
If you want to sound more advanced, use 'държа под око изкъсо' to mean you are watching someone extremely closely.
The 'Baba' effect
Remember that in Bulgaria, being 'under eye' is often a sign of care, not just surveillance.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'държа'.
Аз ______ под око багажа си на летището.
The subject is 'Аз' (I), so the verb must be in the 1st person singular.
Which preposition is correct in this idiom?
Трябва да държиш детето ____ око.
The idiom is 'под око' (under eye).
Match the Bulgarian sentence with its English meaning.
1. Дръж го под око. 2. Държа под око супата. 3. Полицията ги държи под око.
Matching the context of the idiom to the English equivalent.
Complete the dialogue.
А: Можеш ли да ми помогнеш? Б: Да, какво има? А: Отивам за кафе. Моля те, ______ под око лаптопа ми.
In the context of watching a laptop, 'дръж под око' is the correct idiomatic expression.
In which situation would you say 'Държа го под око'?
You are watching a suspicious person in a shop.
The phrase is perfect for expressing suspicion and monitoring.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Intensity of Watching
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesАз ______ под око багажа си на летището.
The subject is 'Аз' (I), so the verb must be in the 1st person singular.
Трябва да държиш детето ____ око.
The idiom is 'под око' (under eye).
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching the context of the idiom to the English equivalent.
А: Можеш ли да ми помогнеш? Б: Да, какво има? А: Отивам за кафе. Моля те, ______ под око лаптопа ми.
In the context of watching a laptop, 'дръж под око' is the correct idiomatic expression.
You are watching a suspicious person in a shop.
The phrase is perfect for expressing suspicion and monitoring.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, absolutely. You can keep an eye on a suitcase, a project, or even a boiling pot of soup.
It depends on the tone. If said jokingly to a friend, it's fine. If said seriously by a boss, it can feel intimidating.
The form is 'Ние държим'. Example: 'Ние държим ситуацията под око'.
'Наблюдавам' is more neutral and scientific. 'Държа под око' is more idiomatic and implies a sense of responsibility or caution.
Yes: 'Ще те държа под око' (I will keep an eye on you).
Yes, it's very common in business to describe monitoring competitors or market trends.
No, it often means protection or care, especially with children.
No, that sounds very strange. The idiom is fixed as 'под око'.
Yes, 'хвърлям по едно око' is a more casual, less intense version.
You would say 'Следи времето' or 'Дръж под око часа'.
The stress is on the second syllable of 'око' (о-КО).
Yes, 'Държа под око кръвното си' (I'm keeping an eye on my blood pressure).
Expressions liées
Следя изкъсо
similarTo follow/monitor very closely
Хвърлям по едно око
similarTo check on something occasionally
На четири очи
contrastIn private (face to face)
Хващам окото
contrastTo catch the eye / To be attractive
Имам едно наум
builds onTo keep something in mind / To be cautious
