French word

observer

Pronunciation

IPA/opsɛʁve/

Meaning

  • verbobserve

Example

J'observe un oiseau dans le jardin.

I observe a bird in the garden.

Illustration for observer (observe)

More examples

Il observe quelque chose d'étrange.

He observes something strange.

Core concept

A careful gaze notices a detail and records it as an established fact.

Common phrases

  • observer quelque chose

    observe something

  • observer quelqu'un

    observe someone

Similar words

voir: To perceive the presence or appearance of something with the eyes.
regarder: To deliberately direct the eyes toward something.
remarquer: To become aware of something.
s'apercevoir: To suddenly become aware of something.

Definition in French

Constater ou remarquer par l'observation qu'un fait ou un détail existe, souvent exprimé par la construction «observer que + proposition».

Word origin

French observer comes from Latin observare, built from ob- 'toward' and servare 'to watch over or keep,' with attentive watching carried into French.

Usage tips

  • In the pattern j'observe que, observer introduces a stated observation, while je regarde que is not the normal equivalent.

Other meanings

  • watchverb
  • noticeverb
  • obeyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word