How to say "observation" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 観察かんさつnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers observation in the basic sense of watching something carefully to learn about it, such as studying animal behavior or natural phenomena; the natural choice for deliberate, attentive watching.
- 観測かんそくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbObservation as a technical act of measuring and recording data, as in weather or astronomical observation; choose this when the emphasis is on taking measurements rather than simply watching.
- 注目ちゅうもくnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbHere 'observation' means close attention or notice rather than systematic study; it is the word for paying attention to someone or something, often because it seems important or noteworthy.
- 発言はつげんnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers 'observation' in the sense of a remark or statement made in speech, such as a comment offered during a meeting or debate; it has nothing to do with watching.
- 監視かんしnoun, suru verb, transitive verbObservation as continuous watching or surveillance, such as surveillance of a suspect or monitoring of a computer system; the nuance is keeping watch over something rather than studying it.
Use 観察 for careful watching and examining, 観測 for measurement-based scientific observation, 注目 for paying close attention, 発言 for a spoken remark, and 監視 for surveillance or monitoring.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 観察かんさつobservation
- 観測かんそくobservation
- 注目ちゅうもくnotice
- 発言はつげんstatement
- 監視かんしmonitoring
- 視察しさつinspection
- 立会いたちあいpresence (e.g. of an observer)
- 見聞きみききinformation
- 見聞けんぶんinformation
- 目視もくしseeing (with the naked eye)
- 観望かんぼうobservation
- 望観ぼうかんobservation
- 経過観察けいかかんさつ(medical) follow-up
- 観象かんしょう(meterological) observation
- 観照かんしょうcontemplation
- 着眼ちゃくがんobservation
- めnotice
See also
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