Translation guide
To observe something with focused, sustained attention, often with curiosity, concern, or deep interest.
The speaker is watching something happening (e.g., a performance, an incident, someone's actions) with concentrated interest.
The most common and neutral way to say 'watch intently.' じっと means 'fixedly' or 'intently,' and 見る means 'to watch/look.'
彼は画面をじっと見ていた。
He was watching the screen intently.
The children were watching the magic show intently.
A more formal or literary term meaning 'to gaze intently' or 'to stare.' Often used in written descriptions.
彼女はその絵を凝視した。
She gazed intently at the painting.
Literally 'to watch as if eating into,' meaning to watch with intense, unwavering focus, often with strong emotion or curiosity.
観客はステージを食い入るように見ていた。
The audience was watching the stage intently.
To gaze or stare at something, often with deep emotion or thought. Can imply a softer, more prolonged look than じっと見る.
彼は遠くを見つめていた。
He was gazing intently into the distance.
The speaker is monitoring someone's actions carefully, perhaps because they are worried, suspicious, or protective.
Literally 'not take one's eyes off,' meaning to watch someone or something continuously without looking away.
母親は子供から目を離さなかった。
The mother watched her child intently.
警備員は不審な男から目を離さなかった。
The guard watched the suspicious man intently.
To observe intently, often with an analytical or scientific nuance. 観察する means 'to observe.'
科学者は動物の行動をじっと観察した。
The scientist watched the animal's behavior intently.
To monitor or keep under surveillance. Implies a formal or security-related context.
警察は容疑者を監視していた。
The police were watching the suspect intently.
The speaker is eagerly observing something unfold, such as a sports match or a thrilling event.
Literally 'watch over while holding one's breath,' meaning to watch with bated breath, often in suspense or excitement.
私たちは試合の行方を固唾をのんで見守った。
We watched the outcome of the match intently.
To watch with sparkling eyes, indicating excitement or fascination.
子供たちは花火を目を輝かせて見ていた。
The children were watching the fireworks intently, their eyes shining.
English 'watch intently' often translates naturally to じっと見る or other set phrases. Directly translating 'intently' as 熱心に (ねっしんに) or 真剣に (しんけんに) can sound unnatural when describing visual attention.
じっと見る emphasizes fixed, unwavering attention, often on a moving or active scene. 見つめる implies a deeper, often emotional gaze, and can be used for staring at a static object or into space.
彼女は双眼鏡で鳥をじっと見ていた。
She watched the bird intently through the binoculars.
猫はネズミの穴をじっと見つめていた。
The cat watched the mouse hole intently.