die
Augenweide
👀 What does "die Augenweide" mean?
Die Augenweide (feminine) describes something or someone whose sight is considered particularly beautiful, pleasant, or delightful. It literally translates to an "eye-meadow" or "pasture for the eyes", implying something that the eyes can feast upon, much like a cow enjoys a lush pasture.
It's often translated as:
- a feast for the eyes
- a sight for sore eyes
- a visual delight
The word is always used positively to express beauty or aesthetic pleasure.
🚨 There's only one article for this word: always die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📚 Grammar and Declension of Augenweide
The noun "Augenweide" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Augenweide |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Augenweide |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Augenweide |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Augenweide |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Augenweiden |
| Genitive | der | Augenweiden |
| Dative | den | Augenweiden |
| Accusative | die | Augenweiden |
Example Sentences
- Die blühende Landschaft im Frühling ist eine wahre Augenweide.
(The blooming landscape in spring is a real feast for the eyes.) - Das restaurierte Oldtimer-Auto war eine Augenweide für alle Besucher der Ausstellung.
(The restored vintage car was a sight for sore eyes for all visitors at the exhibition.) - Nach der Renovierung ist der Marktplatz wieder eine echte Augenweide.
(After the renovation, the market square is a real visual delight again.) - Viele Kunstwerke in diesem Museum sind wahre Augenweiden.
(Many artworks in this museum are true feasts for the eyes.)
✅ How to use "Augenweide"?
"Die Augenweide" is used to describe the aesthetic pleasure derived from looking at something beautiful. This can refer to various things:
- Landscapes & Nature: A picturesque sunset (Sonnenuntergang), a blooming field (blühendes Feld), a majestic mountain (majestätischer Berg).
- Art & Design: An impressive painting (beeindruckendes Gemälde), an elegant sculpture (elegante Skulptur), a well-designed building (gut gestaltetes Gebäude).
- People: Sometimes used (more colloquially and potentially objectifying) for very attractive people.
- Objects: A beautiful car (schönes Auto), stylish furniture (stilvolles Möbelstück), a lovingly set table (liebevoll gedeckter Tisch).
It's a slightly elevated, but quite common word. It always expresses admiration and joy in seeing something.
💡 Mnemonics for Augenweide
Article Mnemonic: Think of the phrase "What a beauty!" - beauty is often associated with feminine qualities, just like die Augenweide uses the feminine article die. Or imagine die Weide (the meadow) which is feminine, and your eyes are grazing on it.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Augen = eyes, Weide = meadow/pasture. Imagine your eyes happily 'grazing' on a beautiful scene like sheep on a green pasture. It's a 'pasture for the eyes' -> a feast for the eyes.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Augenschmaus: Very similar, emphasizes the 'feast' aspect.
- Schönheit: Beauty (general term).
- Pracht: Splendor, magnificence.
- Herrlichkeit: Glory, magnificence (elevated).
- Hingucker: Eye-catcher (more modern/colloquial).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Schandfleck: Eyesore, blot on the landscape.
- Scheusal: Monstrosity, hideous thing/person.
- Hässlichkeit: Ugliness.
- Zumutung (für die Augen): An imposition (on the eyes), something hard to look at.
⚠️ Be aware: Words like "Anblick" (sight, view) are more neutral and just mean 'what you see', not necessarily something beautiful.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Gärtner seine Brille auf der Blumenwiese verloren?
Weil alles so eine Augenweide war, dass er den Überblick verlor!
(Why did the gardener lose his glasses in the flower meadow?
Because everything was such a feast for the eyes that he lost track!)
📜 Poem about Augenweide
Ein Bild, so klar, so rein,
lässt Freude in die Herzen ein.
Ob Landschaft, Kunst, Gesicht,
ein wundervolles Licht.
Was schön dem Blick sich beut,
ist eine Augenweide heut'.
(A picture, so clear, so pure,
lets joy enter the heart.
Whether landscape, art, face,
a wonderful light.
What presents itself beautifully to the gaze,
is a feast for the eyes today.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin kein Essen, doch ein Schmaus,
komm' oft ganz unverhofft ins Haus.
Ich freue deine Sehkraft sehr,
mal bin ich Landschaft, mal noch mehr.
Was bin ich?Lösung: Die Augenweide
(I am no food, yet a feast,
often come unexpectedly into the house (or view).
I greatly please your sight,
sometimes I'm landscape, sometimes more.
What am I?
Answer: Die Augenweide / A feast for the eyes)
📌 Other Information
Word Composition
The word "Augenweide" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Auge(n): Eye(s) (here using the plural stem).
- Weide: Meadow, pasture; used metaphorically here as a place of enjoyment or nourishment (for the eyes).
It vividly describes a place or sight where the eyes can 'graze', meaning delight and be visually nourished.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Augenweide?
The word "Augenweide" is always feminine. The correct article is die: die Augenweide.