sense of proportion / eye
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sense of proportion
The ability to assess a situation sensibly and with a sense of the right measure, and to act accordingly.
Bei dieser heiklen Entscheidung ist viel Augenmass gefragt.
This delicate decision calls for a great deal of sense of proportion.
eye
The ability to estimate distances, sizes, or quantities well just by looking, without measuring instruments.
Ein guter Koch braucht viel Augenmass, um die Zutaten richtig zu dosieren.
A good cook needs a good eye to measure out the ingredients correctly.
The word is made up of 'Auge' (eye) and 'Maß' (measure). The literal meaning 'measure of the eye' helps you understand both meanings: assessing a situation (with the 'mind's eye') and estimating distances (with the real eye).
Ein guter Handwerker hat ein ausgezeichnetes Augenmaß.
A good craftsman has an excellent eye.
'Augenmaß' is often used with the verbs 'haben' (to have), 'beweisen' (to demonstrate), or 'zeigen' (to show). A very common phrasing is also 'mit Augenmaß handeln' (to act with a sense of proportion) or 'mit Augenmaß vorgehen' (to proceed with a sense of proportion).
In dieser schwierigen Verhandlung müssen wir Augenmaß beweisen.
In this difficult negotiation, we have to demonstrate a sense of proportion.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about abstract topics like politics, decisions, or conflicts, it means 'sound judgment'. If it is about concrete, physical activities like cooking, parking, or craftwork, it means the ability to estimate visually.
Bei der Renovierung hat er echtes Augenmaß für die Abstände bewiesen.
During the renovation, he showed a real eye for the distances.
In the meaning of 'Urteilsvermögen' (judgment), the word is often used in more sophisticated contexts. Typical phrases are 'politisches Augenmaß' (political sense of proportion), 'juristisches Augenmaß' (legal sense of proportion), or the statement 'hier ist Augenmaß gefragt' (a sense of proportion is called for here).
Bei der Verteilung der Hilfsgüter ist großes Augenmaß gefragt.
A great deal of sense of proportion is called for when distributing the relief supplies.
common sense
Menschenverstand and Augenmaß both help you assess everyday situations sensibly. Menschenverstand emphasizes natural, practical judgment without specialized knowledge, while Augenmaß places more emphasis on choosing the right degree and responding in a balanced way. Use Menschenverstand for general good sense and Augenmaß for restraint appropriate to the situation.
Mit etwas Augenmaß wählte sie die richtige Größe der Feier, ohne zu viel Geld auszugeben.
Using a sense of proportion, she chose the right size for the celebration without spending too much money.
Mit etwas Menschenverstand erkennt man auch ohne Fachwissen, dass man bei Glatteis langsamer fahren muss.
With a little common sense, you can tell even without specialized knowledge that you need to drive more slowly on icy roads.
