आंखों में दर्द
eye pain
Literally: Eyes (आंखों) in (में) pain (दर्द)
Use this phrase to report physical eye discomfort from screens, pollution, or lack of sleep.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe physical pain or strain in the eyes.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'hona' (to be/happen).
- Suitable for medical, casual, and professional contexts.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say your eyes are physically hurting or feeling strained. It is used for everything from screen fatigue to actual infections.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining screen fatigue to a colleague
ज़्यादा कंप्यूटर चलाने से मेरी आंखों में दर्द हो रहा है।
My eyes are hurting from using the computer too much.
At a doctor's clinic
डॉक्टर साहब, कल से मेरी दाईं आंख में दर्द है।
Doctor, I have pain in my right eye since yesterday.
Texting a friend about a movie marathon
पूरी रात फिल्में देखीं, अब आंखों में दर्द है।
Watched movies all night, now my eyes hurt.
Cultural Background
In Indian households, eye pain is often treated with home remedies like cucumber slices or cold milk splashes. It is a common topic of conversation in urban areas due to high pollution levels and 'digital strain' from excessive smartphone use. Historically, it was also linked to the 'evil eye' (nazar), though today it's mostly medical.
Grammar Hack
Remember that 'aankh' (eye) is feminine. Even though 'dard' (pain) is masculine, you use 'meri' because it's 'my eyes'.
Don't confuse with 'Aankhon ka tara'
While 'Aankhon mein dard' is bad, 'Aankhon ka tara' (star of the eyes) is a compliment meaning someone is very dear to you!
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe physical pain or strain in the eyes.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'hona' (to be/happen).
- Suitable for medical, casual, and professional contexts.
What It Means
This phrase is your go-to for physical eye discomfort. It describes that stinging, heavy, or aching feeling in your eyes. It is a very direct and literal expression. You aren't being poetic here; you're just hurting. It covers a wide range of sensations from a sharp poke to a dull ache.
How To Use It
You usually pair it with the verb होना (to be/happen). If you want to say 'I have eye pain,' say मेरी आंखों में दर्द है. Notice the use of मेरी (my) to show possession. You can also say हो रहा है for 'is happening right now.' It is a very flexible phrase for all tenses. You can use it for one eye or both.
When To Use It
Use it after a long day of staring at spreadsheets. It is perfect for telling a doctor about an infection. Use it when the bright sun makes your eyes ache. It’s also great for complaining to friends about late-night gaming. Even if you just have a bit of dust, this works. If you've been crying and your eyes hurt, this is the phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for emotional 'pain' in your heart. If someone is annoying you, don't use this phrase literally. For an 'eyesore' or someone you dislike seeing, use आंखों में खटकना instead. This is strictly for physical sensations, not for bad fashion choices. Avoid it if you are just feeling sleepy but not actually hurting.
Cultural Background
In India, eye health is a big topic for grandmothers. They might suggest Gulab Jal (rose water) for this pain. Many people believe that 'heat' in the body causes this. You might hear people blaming the 'loo' (hot summer wind). It is a very common complaint in dusty or polluted cities like Delhi. It’s a very relatable struggle for the modern IT workforce.
Common Variations
You might hear आंखें दुख रही हैं which means 'eyes are aching.' Another one is आंखों में जलन, which specifically means 'burning.' If your eyes are just tired, use आंखें थक गई हैं. If your eyes are red, you say आंखें लाल होना. All of these are cousins to our main phrase.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, everyday phrase. It is grammatically important to remember that 'aankhon' is the oblique plural form used before 'mein'. It is safe for all social settings.
Grammar Hack
Remember that 'aankh' (eye) is feminine. Even though 'dard' (pain) is masculine, you use 'meri' because it's 'my eyes'.
Don't confuse with 'Aankhon ka tara'
While 'Aankhon mein dard' is bad, 'Aankhon ka tara' (star of the eyes) is a compliment meaning someone is very dear to you!
The Rose Water Secret
If you tell an Indian friend your eyes hurt, don't be surprised if they suggest putting 'Gulab Jal' (rose water) in them. It's a classic desi remedy!
Examples
6ज़्यादा कंप्यूटर चलाने से मेरी आंखों में दर्द हो रहा है।
My eyes are hurting from using the computer too much.
A very common workplace complaint in modern India.
डॉक्टर साहब, कल से मेरी दाईं आंख में दर्द है।
Doctor, I have pain in my right eye since yesterday.
Shows how to specify a single eye (दाईं - right).
पूरी रात फिल्में देखीं, अब आंखों में दर्द है।
Watched movies all night, now my eyes hurt.
Casual use for self-inflicted tiredness.
बाहर बहुत धूल है, मेरी आंखों में दर्द होने लगा।
It's so dusty outside, my eyes started to hurt.
Uses 'hone laga' to show the start of a sensation.
तुम्हारी शर्ट इतनी चमक रही है कि मेरी आंखों में दर्द हो गया!
Your shirt is so bright it made my eyes hurt!
A playful, hyperbolic way to tease a friend.
रोने की वजह से उसकी आंखों में दर्द था।
Her eyes were hurting because of crying.
Used in a more sensitive, descriptive context.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct possessive pronoun to complete the sentence.
___ आंखों में दर्द है। (My eyes hurt.)
Even though 'dard' is masculine, 'aankhon' is feminine plural, and the possessive 'meri' agrees with 'aankhon'.
Select the correct verb form for 'is happening right now'.
धुएं की वजह से आंखों में दर्द ___।
'Ho raha hai' indicates a continuous current sensation caused by the smoke.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Aankhon mein dard'
Complaining to a sibling about phone use.
Yaar, aankhon mein dard hai.
Explaining to a pharmacist or boss.
Meri aankhon mein dard hai.
Consulting a specialist/ophthalmologist.
Meri aankhon में kaafi dard rehta hai.
When to use 'Aankhon mein dard'
Digital Strain
Too much Netflix or coding.
Environment
Dust, smoke, or pollution.
Medical
Infection or allergies.
Fatigue
Lack of sleep or crying.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsIt is plural. The singular is aankh. You use aankhon when talking about pain in both eyes or using a preposition like mein.
No, for a headache you should say sir mein dard (pain in the head). This phrase is specific to the eyes.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and polite. You can use it with anyone from a friend to a medical professional.
Dard is a noun (pain), while dukhna is a verb (to ache). You can say aankhon mein dard hai or aankhen dukh rahi hain.
You would use the word jalan. So, aankhon mein jalan ho rahi hai means 'my eyes are burning'.
Rarely. It’s almost always literal. If you want to say something is an eyesore, use aankhon ko chubhna.
When a noun is followed by a postposition like mein, it changes to the oblique case. Aankhein becomes aankhon.
Not necessarily. It can be used for a minor itch or a serious infection. The context determines the severity.
People often reply with Aankhen thandi karo (cool your eyes) or suggest taking a break from screens.
Not really. Bollywood prefers romantic eye phrases like aankhon ki masti. Physical pain isn't very 'filmy'!
Yes, but you might also say aankh mein kuch chala gaya hai (something has gone into my eye).
Related Phrases
आंखें आना
To have conjunctivitis (pink eye)
आंखें थकना
Eyes getting tired
आंखों में जलन
Burning sensation in the eyes
नज़र कमज़ोर होना
To have weak eyesight
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