focus / attention
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to focus attention on something
To deliberately concentrate one's attention on a particular thing, person, or aspect. It means to give something special attention.
Die Polizei richtete ihr Augenmerk besonders auf das verdächtige Fahrzeug.
The police focused their attention especially on the suspicious vehicle.
The word is made up of 'Auge' (eye) and 'Merk' (from 'merken', to notice/remember). Figuratively, it describes a point that the eye is supposed to 'merken' (notice/remember), that is, a focal point.
Bei diesem Projekt sollten wir unser Augenmerk auf die Kosten legen.
In this project, we should focus our attention on the costs.
'Augenmerk' (focus/attention) is almost never used on its own, but almost always in fixed expressions. You cannot simply say 'Mein Augenmerk ist auf dich' (My focus is on you); instead, you have to use one of the typical constructions.
Der Lehrer legt sein Augenmerk auf die schwächeren Schüler.
The teacher focuses his attention on the weaker students.
This word belongs to elevated written language. In normal everyday conversation, it often sounds very formal or even a bit stiff.
In dem Bericht wird das besondere Augenmerk auf die Sicherheitsaspekte gerichtet.
In the report, special attention is directed toward the safety aspects.
In the active expression 'sein Augenmerk auf etwas richten/legen' (to direct/place one's attention on something), the target of attention is always in the accusative.
Die Ermittler richten ihr Augenmerk auf die neuen Beweismittel.
The investigators are focusing their attention on the new evidence.
In the passive expression 'das Augenmerk liegt auf etwas' (the focus is on something), the topic that is in focus is always in the dative.
Bei der Konferenz lag das Hauptaugenmerk auf dem Klimawandel.
At the conference, the main focus was on climate change.
attention
'die Aufmerksamkeit' and 'das Augenmerk' both mean that you concentrate on something. 'Aufmerksamkeit' is the normal word and fits many situations: when listening, studying, reading, or observing. 'Augenmerk' sounds somewhat more formal and usually appears in fixed expressions, for example 'sein Augenmerk auf etwas richten' (to focus one's attention on something) or 'das Hauptaugenmerk liegt auf ...' (the main focus is on ...). Learners may confuse the words because their meanings are similar. In everyday language, 'Aufmerksamkeit' is often more natural; 'Augenmerk' fits especially when you want to emphasize exactly where the focus is directed.
Bei der Planung liegt das Hauptaugenmerk auf den Kosten für die Familie.
In the planning, the main focus is on the costs for the family.
Am Montag ist seine Aufmerksamkeit in der Pause ganz bei dem wichtigen Telefonat.
On Monday, during the break, his attention is completely on the important phone call.