Translation guide
The concept of surveillance in Japanese is expressed through several terms that differ in formality, context, and nuance. The most common general term is 監視 (kanshi), but other words like 見張り (mihari) and 尾行 (bikō) are used for specific types of watching. This guide helps learners choose the right expression based on the situation.
To express the act of watching people, places, or activities closely, often for security or control purposes.
The standard term for surveillance, used in formal, technical, and everyday contexts. It implies systematic observation, often by authorities or security systems.
The police are keeping the suspect under surveillance.
This area is under 24-hour surveillance.
Refers to keeping watch or standing guard, often by a person physically present. Less systematic than 監視 and more about vigilance against immediate threats.
We posted a lookout to make sure no one approached.
Specifically means 'surveillance camera' or 'security camera'. Very common in daily conversation.
Surveillance cameras are installed in the store.
To describe the act of secretly following a person to observe their actions, often in detective or suspicious contexts.
Specifically means 'tailing' or 'shadowing' a person, usually on foot or by vehicle. Common in detective stories and news.
The detective tailed the target.
Refers to a stakeout, where police or detectives watch a location from a fixed point. Often used in crime contexts.
To refer to monitoring of communications, data, or large populations, often by governments or corporations.
To express the feeling of being constantly observed or the act of watching oneself, often in psychological or social contexts.
A common phrase meaning 'feeling of being watched/surveilled'. Used in everyday conversation.
I feel like I'm constantly being surveilled online.
Literally 'self-surveillance'. Used in academic or psychological contexts to describe monitoring one's own behavior.
Excessive self-surveillance leads to stress.
監視 (kanshi) is systematic and often impersonal (cameras, monitoring systems), while 見張り (mihari) implies a person actively keeping watch, like a guard or lookout. Use 監視 for surveillance in security contexts, and 見張り for physical guard duty or watching for intruders.
While 'under surveillance' can be translated as 監視下 (kanshi-ka), it is more natural to use phrases like 監視されている (kanshi sarete iru) or 監視を受けている (kanshi o ukete iru).
警察はアジトの前に張り込みを続けた。
The police continued their stakeout in front of the hideout.
The problems of a mass surveillance society are being debated.