Translation guide
The ability to notice details, understand situations, or read people. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns like 観察力, verbs like 見抜く, and set phrases. The best choice depends on whether you mean general attentiveness, scientific observation, or social insight.
Describing someone's skill at noticing things in everyday life, work, or study.
The most direct and common noun for 'power of observation'. Used for both people and animals.
He has sharp powers of observation.
To develop your powers of observation, keeping a diary is good.
Literally 'observing eye'; emphasizes a keen, discerning eye for detail. Slightly more literary.
I'm amazed by her power of observation.
A plain, explanatory phrase meaning 'the ability to look carefully'. Natural in casual speech.
If you have good powers of observation, you can tell the difference.
The ability to read people's feelings, motives, or hidden truths.
Insight, discernment. Focuses on understanding deeper truths, not just surface details.
His power of observation is wonderful.
The ability to see through something. Often used for detecting lies or true intentions.
An eye for judging people. Common in phrases like 人を見る目がある (to be a good judge of character).
He has a good eye for people.
Observation as a method in science, research, or formal study.
Expressions that highlight sharpness or attentiveness.
観察力 is about noticing external details; 洞察力 is about understanding inner truths. Use 観察力 for Sherlock Holmes noticing a speck of dust, and 洞察力 for him deducing a motive.
Find evidence with observation, identify the culprit with insight.
The phrase 'power of observation' doesn't translate word-for-word. 観察の力 is understandable but unnatural; use 観察力 instead.
A person with insight sees through lies.
She has the power of observation to see people's true feelings.
My hobby is astronomical observation.
気象観測のデータを分析する。
Analyze meteorological observation data.
彼女は目ざといから、小さなミスも見逃さない。
She's sharp-eyed, so she doesn't miss even small mistakes.