tenere d'occhio
to keep an eye on
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'tenere d'occhio' when you need to monitor someone or something carefully to ensure everything stays under control.
- Means: To watch, monitor, or keep a visual check on something (max 15 words)
- Used in: Babysitting, shopping for deals, or watching luggage at the station (max 15 words)
- Don't confuse: It's not for watching movies; use 'guardare' for entertainment (max 15 words)
Explanation at your level:
المعنى
To watch or monitor someone.
خلفية ثقافية
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.
المعنى
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!
اختبر نفسك
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.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Watching vs. Monitoring
الأسئلة الشائعة
14 أسئلةNo, 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.
عبارات ذات صلة
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
أين تستخدمها
At the Airport
Traveler A: Vado a prendere un'acqua. Mi tieni d'occhio la valigia?
Traveler B: Certo, vai pure. La tengo d'occhio io.
In the Kitchen
Chef: Tieni d'occhio il sugo, non farlo bruciare!
Assistant: Sì, non ti preoccupare, lo controllo ogni minuto.
At the Park
Parent 1: Tieni d'occhio Marco mentre parlo al telefono?
Parent 2: Sì, è lì che gioca con la sabbia.
Online Shopping
User A: Voglio quel computer, ma costa troppo.
User B: Tieni d'occhio il sito, magari fanno uno sconto domani.
At the Office
Manager: Dobbiamo tenere d'occhio l'andamento del progetto.
Employee: Certamente, invierò un report settimanale.
Suspicious Behavior
Friend A: Quel tipo ci sta seguendo?
Friend B: Non lo so, ma teniamolo d'occhio.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Tenere' (To Hold) and 'Occhio' (Eye). You are 'holding' the object with your 'eye' like a pair of invisible tongs.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant cartoon eye with two small human hands coming out of it, physically holding onto a suitcase or a small child.
Rhyme
Se non vuoi un pasticcio, tieni tutto d'occhio!
Story
Imagine you are a detective in Venice. You are sitting at a cafe, and you must 'hold' the suspect with your gaze so he doesn't disappear into the narrow streets. You are 'holding' him with your eye.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Go to a public place (or watch a video of one) and describe three things you are 'tenendo d'occhio' right now in Italian.
In Other Languages
Echar un ojo
The verb 'throw' vs 'hold' changes the dynamic of the action.
Garder un œil sur
French uses the preposition 'sur' (on), while Italian uses 'di' (of).
Im Auge behalten
The object is kept 'in' the eye in German, rather than 'by' the eye.
目を光らせる (Me o hikaraseru)
Japanese focuses on the intensity of the gaze (shining/glaring).
بقي عينه على (Baqiya 'aynahu 'ala)
Uses the verb 'to remain' rather than 'to hold'.
盯着 (Dīngzhe)
Chinese often uses a single verb rather than an 'eye' idiom.
눈여겨보다 (Nun-yeogyeo-boda)
It is a single verb rather than a multi-word idiom.
Ficar de olho
Uses 'stay' instead of 'hold,' emphasizing the state of being watchful.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'guardare' for everything involving eyes.
Use 'guardare' for entertainment (TV, movies); use 'tenere d'occhio' for responsibility or monitoring.
Both involve looking for a long time.
'Fissare' is staring (often rude); 'tenere d'occhio' is monitoring (usually helpful or necessary).
الأسئلة الشائعة (14)
No, 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.
