ojo
“ojo” means “eye” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
eye
Also: sight
📝 In Action
Tienes un ojo verde y el otro azul. ¡Qué peculiar!
A1You have one green eye and the other blue. How peculiar!
Me duele el ojo izquierdo después de leer tanto.
A1My left eye hurts after reading so much.
Watch out!, Be careful!
Also: Heads up!
📝 In Action
¡Ojo! Hay un coche detrás de ti.
A2Watch out! There's a car behind you.
Ojo, mañana tenemos que entregar el proyecto sin falta.
B1Heads up, tomorrow we have to turn in the project without fail.
hole, eye
Also: loop, spring/source
📝 In Action
Es muy difícil meter el hilo por el ojo de la aguja.
B2It is very difficult to put the thread through the eye of the needle.
El ojo de la cerradura estaba cubierto de polvo.
C1The keyhole was covered in dust.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ojo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ojo' as a warning or command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'ojo' comes directly from the Latin word 'oculus,' which also means 'eye.' This root is the source of many English words related to sight, like 'ocular' and 'optics,' showing a shared origin across many European languages.
First recorded: Around the 10th century in written Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'ojo' (eye) masculine, but 'oreja' (ear) is feminine?
There's no simple rule! The gender of Spanish nouns is often based on how they developed from Latin. 'Ojo' comes from the masculine Latin 'oculus,' which is why it became 'el ojo.' It's best to learn the gender alongside the noun, rather than trying to find a pattern based on meaning.
When do I say '¡Ojo!' and when do I say '¡Cuidado!'?
Both mean 'Be careful,' but '¡Ojo!' usually demands immediate attention or points out a specific hazard or piece of important information. '¡Cuidado!' is a broader warning about general caution.