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sich die Augen reiben

English translation: to rub one's eyes

15:28 Oct 16, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general) / news article
German term or phrase: sich die Augen reiben
Im Sinne von 'überrascht sein'. How about 'having the sclaes removed from one's eyes'? I have never actually heard anyone use this though. It seems stilted to me.
Please help!
Anne Beckmann
United States
Local time: 18:24
English translation:to rub one's eyes
Explanation:
Pretty much a literal translation but a common phrase in my mind:

to rub one's eyes (in astonishment/disbelief)

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Note added at 5 mins (2009-10-16 15:33:36 GMT)
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Meant to say - this tends to only be used if you are seeing something surprising so its use would depend on the context
Selected response from:

Amy Billing
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:24
Grading comment
Thanks Amy :)
I used 'rub one's eyes in wonder.' I also liked 'he couldn't believe his eyes,' but wanted to stay closer to the original text.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +6he couldn't believe his eyes
Cilian O'Tuama
3 +2to rub one's eyes
Amy Billing
4 +1that´s why so many people were dumbfounded (speechless) when ...
Ellen Kraus
2eyes out on stalks
Jon Reynolds


Discussion entries: 16





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
to rub one's eyes


Explanation:
Pretty much a literal translation but a common phrase in my mind:

to rub one's eyes (in astonishment/disbelief)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 mins (2009-10-16 15:33:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Meant to say - this tends to only be used if you are seeing something surprising so its use would depend on the context

Amy Billing
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:24
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks Amy :)
I used 'rub one's eyes in wonder.' I also liked 'he couldn't believe his eyes,' but wanted to stay closer to the original text.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ines R.: to rub one's eyes in disbelief
16 mins
agree  philgoddard: I wonder if this is a British/American thing. I'm British, and "rub one's eyes in disbelief" is a perfectly common phrase to me, but my American wife says it sounds odd and she wouldn't use it.
2 hrs
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
er reibte sich die Augen
he couldn't believe his eyes


Explanation:
a possibility

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Note added at 11 mins (2009-10-16 15:39:52 GMT)
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for "er reibte sich die Augen"

Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 00:24
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 151
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Cilian. I believe this is a very good answer. I went with 'rubbing one's eyes in wonder' just because the original text was equally colorful. Thanks for your help.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X): yes, after the additional context, that fits very well!
54 mins
agree  Stephen Old: This is a very common way of expressing the idea in BE.
58 mins
agree  Rolf Keiser
1 hr
agree  Andrew Rink
1 hr
agree  philgoddard
2 hrs
agree  Lirka
3 hrs
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12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
eyes out on stalks


Explanation:
Really depends on context etc. "His eyes were out on stalks" could be something to start with in some cases.

Jon Reynolds
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:24
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
that´s why so many people were dumbfounded (speechless) when ...


Explanation:
I´d say though it is a less litteral translation

Ellen Kraus
Austria
Local time: 00:24
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 88

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  suew: this is a good suggestion, particularly given the context that has since been provided
40 mins
  -> thank you, suew !
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