die Iris
iris
The colored, ring-shaped part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. The iris regulates how much light enters the eye by changing the size of the pupil.
EXAMPLE
Die Iris ihres rechten Auges ist blau.
The iris of her right eye is blue.
die Iris
iris
die Iris, die Iris
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Meanings
die Iris
iris
A plant from the iris genus with striking, often blue, violet, yellow, or white flowers and usually sword-shaped leaves.
EXAMPLE
Im Blumenbeet blüht eine violette Iris.
A violet iris is blooming in the flower bed.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Iris, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Iris |
| genitive | der Iris |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Iris | die Iris die Iriden, die Irides |
| accusative | die Iris | die Iris die Iriden, die Irides |
| dative | der Iris | den Iris den Iriden, den Irides |
| genitive | der Iris | der Iris der Iriden, der Irides |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clues
Words such as 'Pupille' (pupil), 'Augenfarbe' (eye color), and 'Augenarzt' (ophthalmologist) show that the iris of the eye is meant. With words like 'Beet' (flower bed), 'Blüte' (flower), and 'pflanzen' (to plant), the plant is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Augenärztin prüft, ob die Iris auf Licht reagiert.
The ophthalmologist is checking whether the iris reacts to light.
Die Iris im Vorgarten bekommt dieses Jahr besonders viele Blüten.
The iris in the front garden is producing especially many flowers this year.
Medical collocations
In a medical context, 'Entzündung der Iris' (inflammation of the iris) and 'Verletzung der Iris' (injury to the iris) are typical collocations. 'der Iris' indicates which part of the eye is affected.
EXAMPLE
Der Augenarzt hat eine Entzündung der Iris festgestellt.
The ophthalmologist diagnosed an inflammation of the iris.
Typical collocations
In gardening texts, you will often find 'Iris pflanzen' (to plant irises) and 'Iris teilen' (to divide irises). When dividing a plant, a larger plant is split into several pieces, which are then planted individually.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben die große Iris nach der Blüte geteilt und die einzelnen Stücke wieder eingepflanzt.
We divided the large iris after it flowered and replanted the individual pieces.
In real life
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