Signification
Hard to choose from many options.
Contexte culturel
The idiom reflects the 'soul of the fair' (ярмарочная душа). Russians historically value a 'rich' table where there is more food than guests can eat, leading to the feeling that 'глаза разбегаются.' During times of deficit, this phrase was used with genuine awe when someone encountered a well-stocked store abroad or a rare 'special' shipment of goods. Today, the phrase is heavily used in UI/UX discussions in Russia to describe 'choice paralysis' on websites with too many buttons or products. Russian writers often use this to describe the chaos and beauty of city life (like St. Petersburg or Moscow) where a character is overwhelmed by the sights.
Use it as a compliment
If someone shows you a collection or a menu they made, saying 'глаза разбегаются' is a great way to praise their variety.
Don't use for 2 things
If you only have two options, just say 'не могу выбрать.' 'Глаза разбегаются' requires at least three or four options to feel natural.
Signification
Hard to choose from many options.
Use it as a compliment
If someone shows you a collection or a menu they made, saying 'глаза разбегаются' is a great way to praise their variety.
Don't use for 2 things
If you only have two options, just say 'не могу выбрать.' 'Глаза разбегаются' requires at least three or four options to feel natural.
Perfective vs Imperfective
Use 'разбежались' (perfective) for that first 'WOW' moment when you enter a room. Use 'разбегаются' (imperfective) for the ongoing feeling of being overwhelmed.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
В этом магазине так много красивых вещей, что у меня глаза ______.
The idiom is 'глаза разбегаются.' 'Бегают' would mean you are nervous.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you are overwhelmed by choice?
You are at a buffet with 50 types of food.
This is the standard idiomatic expression for this situation.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Situation: You just opened a box of 100 different colorful chocolates.
'Глаза на лоб полезли' means extreme surprise/shock, and 'Глаз да глаз' means you need to watch something very carefully.
Complete the dialogue.
- Тебе нравится этот торговый центр? - Да, но тут столько отделов, что у меня просто ...
While 'голова кругом' (head spinning) is possible, 'глаза разбегаются' is more specific to the visual variety of a mall.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВ этом магазине так много красивых вещей, что у меня глаза ______.
The idiom is 'глаза разбегаются.' 'Бегают' would mean you are nervous.
You are at a buffet with 50 types of food.
This is the standard idiomatic expression for this situation.
Situation: You just opened a box of 100 different colorful chocolates.
'Глаза на лоб полезли' means extreme surprise/shock, and 'Глаз да глаз' means you need to watch something very carefully.
- Тебе нравится этот торговый центр? - Да, но тут столько отделов, что у меня просто ...
While 'голова кругом' (head spinning) is possible, 'глаза разбегаются' is more specific to the visual variety of a mall.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's very neutral and polite. You can use it with your boss, a waiter, or your grandmother.
Yes! If you are at a party with many interesting people to talk to, you can say 'глаза разбегаются.'
There isn't one. You can't say 'глаз разбегается' because one eye can't run in different directions by itself.
Yes, to describe market variety or a wide range of services, but avoid it in very formal contracts.
It means you are 'pleasantly confused' by choice, not that you don't understand what's happening.
You can, but 'у меня глаза разбегаются' sounds much more like a native speaker.
Not a direct one, but 'глаза в кучу' is the funny, tired opposite.
У меня глаза разбегались (imperfective) or У меня глаза разбежались (perfective).
Usually no. It implies the options are attractive or at least interesting.
Extremely. It's a staple of Russian descriptive prose.
Expressions liées
Голова кругом
similarHead is spinning
Рябит в глазах
similarDazzled/Rippling in the eyes
Глаза на лоб полезли
relatedEyes crawled up to the forehead
Не знать, за что хвататься
builds onNot knowing what to grab first
