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.
The teacher was observing the students' behavior.
Observing birds is my hobby.
Implies watching over someone or something with care or concern, often without interfering.
Parents are observing their child's growth.
Means to look at something carefully and unhurriedly. Casual and common in daily conversation.
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.
I didn't observe that he had entered the room.
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.
The police are observing the suspect.
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.
You must observe traffic rules.
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.
To observe a holiday, anniversary, or special event.
To say something as a comment or observation.
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.
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.
Observing laws and regulations is a corporate obligation.
They observed National Foundation Day by holding a ceremony.