Signification
To watch or monitor someone.
Contexte culturel
In small Italian towns, 'tenere d'occhio' is a social duty. Neighbors often watch each other's houses and children, creating a strong sense of security. Cooking is precise. 'Tenere d'occhio' is used constantly in recipes to ensure ingredients don't overcook, reflecting the importance of perfect timing in Italian cuisine. The 'Malocchio' (Evil Eye) is a real cultural belief. While 'tenere d'occhio' is helpful, some people might be wary of being watched too closely by strangers. In Italian business, 'tenere d'occhio' implies a hands-on management style. It is seen as a sign of a diligent and attentive leader.
Use with Pronouns
It's very common to use pronouns. Instead of 'Tengo d'occhio il bambino,' say 'Lo tengo d'occhio.'
Don't say 'Tenere un occhio'
This is a classic 'Anglicism.' Stick to 'd'occhio' to sound like a native.
Signification
To watch or monitor someone.
Use with Pronouns
It's very common to use pronouns. Instead of 'Tengo d'occhio il bambino,' say 'Lo tengo d'occhio.'
Don't say 'Tenere un occhio'
This is a classic 'Anglicism.' Stick to 'd'occhio' to sound like a native.
The Gesture
If you want to be very Italian, pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger while saying 'Occhio!' to emphasize you are watching.
Cooking context
If an Italian nonna tells you to 'tenere d'occhio' the pot, she's giving you a high-responsibility task. Don't mess it up!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tenere'.
Io ______ d'occhio la tua borsa mentre vai in bagno.
The subject is 'Io', so the correct conjugation of 'tenere' is 'tengo'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you ask a friend to watch your dog?
The idiom is 'tenere d'occhio' and the imperative for 'tu' is 'tieni'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Devo andare un attimo in ufficio. B: Va bene, ______ d'occhio io i bambini.
Speaker B is offering to do the action, so 'I keep' (tengo) is correct.
Match the situation to the sentence.
You are at a train station and need to go buy a ticket.
'Tienimi d'occhio la valigia' is the most natural way to ask someone to watch your luggage.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Watching vs. Monitoring
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIo ______ d'occhio la tua borsa mentre vai in bagno.
The subject is 'Io', so the correct conjugation of 'tenere' is 'tengo'.
How do you ask a friend to watch your dog?
The idiom is 'tenere d'occhio' and the imperative for 'tu' is 'tieni'.
A: Devo andare un attimo in ufficio. B: Va bene, ______ d'occhio io i bambini.
Speaker B is offering to do the action, so 'I keep' (tengo) is correct.
You are at a train station and need to go buy a ticket.
'Tienimi d'occhio la valigia' is the most natural way to ask someone to watch your luggage.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, the idiom is fixed in the singular: 'tenere d'occhio.' Using the plural sounds like you are physically holding eyeballs.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your mother, or a stranger at the train station.
No, use 'guardare' for movies, TV shows, and plays.
'Vigilare' is more formal and implies a professional or security-related duty. 'Tenere d'occhio' is more everyday.
Use the pronoun 'lo': 'Tienilo d'occhio.'
Yes, it's very common for monitoring prices, trends, or situations.
Almost. 'Sott'occhio' usually means something is right in front of you or physically close.
Not always. It can mean suspicious surveillance, like 'La polizia lo tiene d'occhio.'
The past tense uses 'avere': 'Ho tenuto d'occhio.'
Yes, for example: 'Tengo sempre d'occhio le novità del settore.' It shows you are proactive.
In very casual speech, you can just say 'Dagli un occhio' (Give it an eye).
In Italian, 'di' usually elides (becomes d') before a word starting with 'o'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom used from Milan to Sicily.
Yes, but 'stare attenti' or 'fare attenzione' are more common for immediate danger.
Expressions liées
dare un'occhiata
similarTo take a quick look
tenere sott'occhio
similarTo keep under one's eye/handy
non perdere di vista
builds onTo not lose sight of
stare all'erta
similarTo be on guard
vigilare
specialized formTo supervise/guard
