Inklingo
← Dictionary

ojo

/OH-hoh/

eye

A close-up illustration of a single human eye with a brown iris, long eyelashes, and a bright white sclera.

The most common meaning of ojo is the body part used for sight: the eye.

ojo(Noun)

mA1

eye

?

body part for seeing

Also:

sight

?

vision

📝 In Action

Tienes un ojo verde y el otro azul. ¡Qué peculiar!

A1

You have one green eye and the other blue. How peculiar!

Me duele el ojo izquierdo después de leer tanto.

A1

My left eye hurts after reading so much.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • ceguera (blindness)

Common Collocations

  • abrir los ojos – to open one's eyes (literally or figuratively)
  • cerrar el ojo – to close one's eye/to wink

Idioms & Expressions

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Even though many body parts are feminine (like 'la mano' or 'la cabeza'), 'ojo' is always masculine: 'el ojo' (the eye).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the definite article

Mistake: "Me duele mi ojo."

Correction: Me duele el ojo. (Spanish often uses 'el' or 'la' instead of 'mi' or 'tu' when talking about body parts, especially with verbs like 'doler'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Using Plural

To talk about a black eye or a bruised eye, use the plural form: 'Tienes los ojos morados' (You have black eyes).

A simple cartoon squirrel is running quickly along a path towards a large, unexpected puddle of water. A small, alarmed bird is hovering nearby, urgently pointing its wing towards the puddle to warn the squirrel.

As an interjection, ojo serves as a warning, meaning 'Watch out!' or 'Heads up!'.

ojo(Interjection)

A2

Watch out!

?

as a warning or alert

,

Be careful!

?

as a warning or alert

Also:

Heads up!

?

to draw attention to information

📝 In Action

¡Ojo! Hay un coche detrás de ti.

A2

Watch out! There's a car behind you.

Ojo, mañana tenemos que entregar el proyecto sin falta.

B1

Heads up, tomorrow we have to turn in the project without fail.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cuidado (caution/careful)
  • atención (attention)

💡 Grammar Points

Always Singular

When used as a warning, 'ojo' is always used in the singular, often followed by an exclamation mark.

⭐ Usage Tips

Functional Use

Think of this meaning as shouting 'Eyes on this!' or 'Pay attention!' It alerts someone to either danger or important information.

A simple illustration showing a small, dark, circular hole drilled into a smooth wooden surface.

Ojo can also refer to a small, defined opening or hole, like a keyhole or a puncture.

ojo(Noun)

mB2

hole

?

small, defined opening

,

eye

?

of a needle or tool

Also:

loop

?

in a knot or rope

,

spring/source

?

of water, in some regions

📝 In Action

Es muy difícil meter el hilo por el ojo de la aguja.

B2

It is very difficult to put the thread through the eye of the needle.

El ojo de la cerradura estaba cubierto de polvo.

C1

The keyhole was covered in dust.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • agujero (hole)
  • abertura (opening)

Common Collocations

  • ojo de la cerradura – keyhole
  • ojo de aguja – eye of a needle

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the concept of the 'eye' as a small, central viewing point or passage, such as in tools or mechanisms.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: ojo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'ojo' as a warning or command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ojear(to glance/to skim) - verb
ojera(dark circle (under the eye)) - noun
ojal(buttonhole) - noun

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.