Signification
To discuss something confidentially, just between two people.
Contexte culturel
In German offices, 'unter vier Augen' is the polite way to give negative feedback. Doing so in public is considered very rude and unprofessional. Germans value 'Datenschutz' (data protection) and privacy. This idiom is a linguistic tool to enforce those boundaries in social settings. Historically, 'Vier-Augen-Gespräche' were crucial in the Cold War for East and West German leaders to communicate without their allies listening.
The Math Rule
Always remember: 2 people = 4 eyes. This helps you never say 'unter zwei Augen'.
Preposition Alert
Never use 'in' or 'mit'. It is always 'unter'.
Signification
To discuss something confidentially, just between two people.
The Math Rule
Always remember: 2 people = 4 eyes. This helps you never say 'unter zwei Augen'.
Preposition Alert
Never use 'in' or 'mit'. It is always 'unter'.
Professionalism
Using this phrase in a German office makes you sound very culturally aware and professional.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition.
Ich möchte mit dir ____ vier Augen sprechen.
The idiom always uses 'unter'.
Which situation is appropriate for 'unter vier Augen'?
Wann spricht man unter vier Augen?
The phrase implies privacy and confidentiality.
Match the German phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the pairs.
These are the direct conceptual equivalents.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kann ich dir etwas sagen? B: Ja, aber nicht hier. Lass uns ____ ____ ____ sprechen.
This is the standard idiom for requesting a private talk.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch möchte mit dir ____ vier Augen sprechen.
The idiom always uses 'unter'.
Wann spricht man unter vier Augen?
The phrase implies privacy and confidentiality.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the direct conceptual equivalents.
A: Kann ich dir etwas sagen? B: Ja, aber nicht hier. Lass uns ____ ____ ____ sprechen.
This is the standard idiom for requesting a private talk.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, it is very common to ask a teacher for a talk 'unter vier Augen' if you have a personal problem with a grade.
Mostly yes, but you can also 'etwas unter vier Augen klären' (clarify something), which might involve writing.
It can be, but it is not inherently romantic. It is mostly about privacy.
The idiom doesn't change! Even if both people wear glasses (making it 8 eyes), the phrase remains 'unter vier Augen'.
Expressions liées
im Vertrauen
synonymin confidence
unter uns
similarbetween us
Tête-à-Tête
synonyma private meeting
