Translation guide
English 'observing' covers watching carefully, noticing, monitoring, and following rules or customs. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by these core meanings.
To watch something attentively, often to learn or study it.
The most direct equivalent for careful, systematic observation, such as in science or studying behavior.
先生は生徒の行動を観察していた。
The teacher was observing the students' behavior.
鳥を観察するのが趣味です。
Observing birds is my hobby.
Implies watching over someone or something with care or concern, often without interfering.
親は子供の成長を見守っている。
Parents are observing their child's growth.
Means to look at something carefully and unhurriedly. Casual and common in daily conversation.
その絵をじっくり見てください。
Please observe the painting carefully.
To notice something, often incidentally.
The most natural way to say 'notice' or 'observe' in the sense of becoming aware of something.
彼が部屋に入ったことに気づかなかった。
I didn't observe that he had entered the room.
異変に気づいたら教えてください。
Please let me know if you observe anything unusual.
Literally 'to set eyes on', used for seeing or witnessing something, often unexpectedly.
To watch something continuously to check for changes.
Used for surveillance, monitoring, or keeping under observation, often with a sense of vigilance.
警察が容疑者を監視している。
The police are observing the suspect.
システムがネットワークを常時監視しています。
The system is constantly observing the network.
To keep watch, stand guard, or be on the lookout. More active than passive observation.
To obey or adhere to something like a rule, tradition, or agreement.
The standard verb for 'observe' in the sense of following rules, laws, promises, or customs.
交通ルールを守らなければならない。
You must observe traffic rules.
彼はいつも時間を守る。
He always observes punctuality.
To comply with or follow orders, instructions, or rules. Slightly more formal than 守る.
Formal term for strict compliance, often used in legal or official contexts.
法令を遵守することは企業の義務です。
Observing laws and regulations is a corporate obligation.
To observe a holiday, anniversary, or special event.
To celebrate or observe a festive occasion.
日本では元旦を祝います。
In Japan, we observe New Year's Day.
Used for holding or conducting ceremonies, rituals, or formal observances.
式典を行って建国記念日を祝った。
They observed National Foundation Day by holding a ceremony.
To say something as a comment or observation.
To state or express an observation. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼は「それは面白い」と述べた。
He observed that it was interesting.
To point out or note something, often a fact or problem.
専門家は問題点を指摘した。
The expert observed some issues.
観察する is neutral, systematic observation (science, study). 見守る implies caring, protective watching. 監視する is surveillance or monitoring, often with a negative or security-related nuance.
English 'observe' can mean both 'watch' and 'follow a rule'. In Japanese, these are completely different verbs. Use 守る or 従う for rules, not 観察する.
I observed a celebrity in town.
Medical term for 'follow-up observation' or 'watchful waiting'. Often used as a noun.
しばらく経過観察しましょう。
Let's observe the progress for a while.
Someone might be observing us.
規則に従って行動してください。
Please act in observance of the rules.