die Brille
glasses
A visual aid consisting of a frame and two lenses, worn in front of the eyes to correct impaired vision.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann ohne meine Brille kaum etwas lesen.
I can hardly read anything without my glasses.
die Brille
glasses
die Brille, die Brillen
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Meanings
die Brille
toilet seat
The seat on a toilet, also referred to as a 'Klobrille' (toilet seat) or 'Toilettenbrille' (toilet seat).
EXAMPLE
Könntest du bitte die Brille herunterklappen?
Could you please put the toilet seat down?
die Brille
spectacle-shaped part
A technical component whose shape resembles glasses, for example a flange or bearing part.
EXAMPLE
Der Mechaniker musste die Dichtungsbrille am Motor austauschen.
The mechanic had to replace the spectacle-shaped gasket on the engine.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Brille, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Brillen |
| genitive | der Brille |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Brille | die Brillen |
| accusative | die Brille | die Brillen |
| dative | der Brille | den Brillen |
| genitive | der Brille | der Brillen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
By far the most common meaning of 'Brille' (glasses) is the visual aid. You will only recognize the other meanings (toilet seat, technical part) from the specific context, for example if you are in the bathroom or in a workshop.
EXAMPLE
Im Badezimmer war leider die Brille kaputt.
Unfortunately, the toilet seat in the bathroom was broken.
Ohne meine Brille sehe ich die Buchstaben nicht.
Without my glasses, I can't see the letters.
Typical verbs
In connection with the visual aid, there are fixed verbs you should learn: man trägt eine Brille (one wears glasses), man setzt eine Brille auf (one puts on glasses), and man nimmt eine Brille ab (one takes off glasses).
EXAMPLE
Er hat seine Brille aufgesetzt, um die Speisekarte zu lesen.
He put on his glasses to read the menu.
Important prepositions
To describe a person who wears glasses, you use the preposition 'mit' (with). The opposite is expressed with 'ohne' (without).
EXAMPLE
Der Mann mit der Brille dort drüben ist mein Onkel.
The man with the glasses over there is my uncle.
Ich gehe nie ohne meine Sonnenbrille aus dem Haus.
I never leave the house without my sunglasses.
Compound words
'Brille' (glasses) is the base word for many useful compounds that describe the purpose of the glasses more precisely, for example 'Sonnenbrille' (sunglasses), 'Lesebrille' (reading glasses), or 'Schutzbrille' (safety goggles).
EXAMPLE
Auf der Baustelle ist das Tragen einer Schutzbrille Pflicht.
Wearing safety goggles is mandatory on the construction site.
Unambiguous terms
In the meaning 'Toilettensitz' (toilet seat), a more precise word such as 'Klobrille' (toilet seat) or 'Toilettenbrille' (toilet seat) is often used to avoid misunderstandings. The word 'Brille' (glasses/toilet seat) on its own is more colloquial here.
EXAMPLE
Die Klobrille war locker und musste repariert werden.
The toilet seat was loose and had to be repaired.
In real life
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