Observation in different languages

Observation in Different Languages

Discover 'Observation' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Observation is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and communication. It involves the active process of perceiving and interpreting the world around us, allowing us to understand and engage with our environment in meaningful ways. The significance of observation extends beyond individual experience, playing a critical role in fields such as science, education, and psychology. Moreover, the act of observation carries cultural importance across societies, shaping social norms, customs, and traditions.

Given the universal nature of observation, it's no surprise that the word has been translated into countless languages around the world. For example, in Spanish, observation is translated as 'observación,' while in French, it becomes 'observation.' In Mandarin Chinese, the word is translated as '观测' (guān cè), and in Japanese, it is '観測' (kansoku).

Understanding the translation of observation in different languages not only broadens our linguistic repertoire but also deepens our appreciation for the cultural nuances that shape our perception of the world. Join us as we explore the many translations of observation and delve into the fascinating world of language and culture.

Observation


Observation in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanswaarneming
"Waar" means "true" or "real" and "neming" means "taking", so the word literally means "taking the true" or "taking reality."
Amharicምልከታ
The word "ምልከታ" can also mean "consideration", "notice", or "examination" in Amharic.
Hausalura
The word 'lura' in Hausa can also mean 'reflection' or 'investigation'.
Igbonyocha
The Igbo word "nyocha" can also mean "to peep", "to investigate", or "to scrutinize something carefully."
Malagasyfandinihana
The word "fandinihana" also means "study", "examination" and "research".
Nyanja (Chichewa)kupenyerera
The word "kupenyerera" can also be used to refer to the act of studying or paying attention to something.
Shonakucherechedza
The word "kucherechedza" in Shona can also mean "to investigate" or "to research".
Somalifiirsasho
The word "fiirsasho" can also mean "scrutiny" or "examination" in Somali.
Sesothoho shebella
In Sesotho, 'ho shebella' translates to 'to observe' or 'to look at,' implying both physical sight and thoughtful consideration.
Swahiliuchunguzi
The word "uchunguzi" in Swahili initially meant "exploration" or "investigation" before getting its current meaning of "observation".
Xhosaukuqaphela
The word ukuqaphela is sometimes used in the sense of 'to observe' or 'to scrutinize', but it also has the figurative meaning of 'to take care of' or 'to be mindful of'.
Yorubaakiyesi
The word "akiyesi" can also mean "notice", "attention", or "warning" in Yoruba.
Zuluukubonwa
Ukubonwa also refers to witnessing, seeing, experiencing, and being noticed by.
Bambarajateminɛt
Ewenukpɔkpɔ
Kinyarwandakwitegereza
Lingalalikanisi
Lugandaokwetegereza
Sepeditemogo
Twi (Akan)ahwɛeɛ

Observation in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالملاحظة
The word "الملاحظة" can also mean "warning" or "notice" in Arabic.
Hebrewתַצְפִּית
The word "תַצְפִּית" derives from the root "צָפָה" which means "to watch, to observe or to gaze upon".
Pashtoمشاهده
The Pashto word "مشاهده" (moshahida) is derived from the Arabic word "مشاهدة" (mushāhada), meaning 'act of witnessing' or 'observation'.
Arabicالملاحظة
The word "الملاحظة" can also mean "warning" or "notice" in Arabic.

Observation in Western European Languages

Albanianvrojtim
"Vrojtim" is a noun in Albanian meaning "observation" and is cognate with "vrojtoj" verb, which means "to observe".
Basquebehaketa
The Basque word "behaketa" can also refer to the act of watching over or keeping an eye on someone or something.
Catalanobservació
In astronomy, "observació" refers to the recording of observational data, usually the position or movement of celestial bodies.
Croatianpromatranje
The term 'promatranje' in Croatian can also refer to a type of traditional folk dance.
Danishobservation
The Danish word for "observation" can also mean "respect" or "consideration for others".
Dutchobservatie
The Dutch word "observatie" can also refer to a military reconnaissance plane.
Englishobservation
The word "observation" derives from Latin "observatus," meaning "to comply with" or "to pay attention to."
Frenchobservation
The word "observation" derives from the Latin "observatio", meaning "attention" or "act of observing".
Frisianobservaasje
The Frisian word "observaasje" comes from the Latin word "observatio", which also means "compliance" and "ceremony".
Galicianobservación
In Galician, the word "observación" can also refer to a "preliminary remark" or a "commentary".
Germanüberwachung
The German word "Überwachung" also has the connotation of "control" or "supervision".
Icelandicathugun
The word "athugun" is also used in Icelandic to refer to an idea or opinion.
Irishbreathnóireacht
The word "breathnóireacht" can also refer to the act of spying or eavesdropping.
Italianosservazione
The Italian word "osservazione" originates from the Latin word "observatio", which also means "compliance" or "respect".
Luxembourgishobservatioun
In Luxembourgish, "Observatioun" can also refer to a legal or scientific document that records observations, measurements, or findings.
Malteseosservazzjoni
The Maltese word "osservazzjoni" derives from the Italian "osservazione", ultimately from the Latin "observatio" (observation, contemplation, attendance, etc.).
Norwegianobservasjon
The Norwegian word "observasjon" originally meant "obedience" in Latin.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)observação
In Portuguese, "observação" also means "compliance" or "remark".
Scots Gaelicamharc
"Amharc" comes from the Gaelic for "look at" and is related to the Irish word "amharclann" meaning "theatre."
Spanishobservación
The Spanish word "observación" derives from the Latin "observare", meaning "to watch, attend to, or regard."
Swedishobservation
In Swedish, "observation" can also mean "a remark" or "a note."
Welsharsylwi
The word "arsylwi" may be related to the Latin word "observatio" (watching), which comes from "observare" (to watch, notice, or pay attention to).

Observation in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianназіранне
Belarusian "назіранне" is cognate with Ukrainian "назірання", the original meaning being "watching", a term for a form of divination.
Bosnianposmatranje
The word "posmatranje" in Bosnian comes from the Slavic root "*zor-/*zer-" meaning "to see", also found in other Slavic languages, such as Russian and Czech.
Bulgarianнаблюдение
In Bulgarian, the word "наблюдение" can also mean "surveillance" or "monitoring."
Czechpozorování
In Czech, "pozorování" has a related meaning to "attention" or "notice".
Estonianvaatlus
"Vaatlus" (observation) in Estonian can also mean 'care', 'heed', or 'guard' in a figurative sense.
Finnishhavainto
Havainto originates from the verb "havaita", ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *sew- "to see".
Hungarianmegfigyelés
Megfigyelés in Hungarian is also used to refer to the surveillance of individuals or groups, often with negative connotations.
Latviannovērošana
The word "novērošana" also means "monitoring" and "supervision" in Latvian.
Lithuanianstebėjimas
The Lithuanian word "stebėjimas" not only means "observation" but also "monitoring", "surveillance", "tracking", and "scrutiny."
Macedonianнабудување
"Набудување" can also mean "perception", "realization" or "notice".
Polishobserwacja
The Polish word "obserwacja" can also refer to a type of military reconnaissance.
Romanianobservare
The Romanian word "observare" derives from the Latin "observare" (to observe), but also means "to comply with" or "to respect".
Russianнаблюдение
The word "наблюдение" can also mean "supervision" or "monitoring".
Serbianпосматрање
**Посматрање** (posmatranje) is a Serbian word that has alternate meanings, such as "watching" or "viewing".
Slovakpozorovanie
The word "pozorovanie" comes from the Old Slavonic word "zorati", meaning "to see".
Slovenianopazovanje
The Slovenian word "opazovanje" can also mean "vigilance" or "monitoring".
Ukrainianспостереження
The word "спостереження" can also mean "consideration" or "examination".

Observation in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপর্যবেক্ষণ
পর্যবেক্ষণ (Paryobekkhôn) originates from Sanskrit and means both observation and consideration
Gujaratiઅવલોકન
The word 'અવલોકન' comes from the Sanskrit word 'अवलोकन' ('avalokana'), which means 'looking down' or 'gazing at'. It can also refer to an inspection or examination.
Hindiअवलोकन
The word "अवलोकन" can also mean "review" or "analysis" in Hindi.
Kannadaವೀಕ್ಷಣೆ
The original meaning of "ವೀಕ್ಷಣೆ" is "watching" from its Sanskrit root "vikshya". In modern Kannada, its primary meaning is observation with the sense of "paying attention to".
Malayalamനിരീക്ഷണം
The word നിരീക്ഷണം ('observation') in Malayalam originates from the Sanskrit word 'nirīksh', which also means 'investigation'. The term is also used to refer to 'examination', 'inspection', 'scrutiny', and 'vigilance'.
Marathiनिरीक्षण
The Marathi word 'निरीक्षण' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'निरीक्ष,' meaning 'to look carefully or closely'
Nepaliअवलोकन
The word 'अवलोकन' comes from the Sanskrit word 'लोक' (world) and means 'looking around' or 'seeing the world'.
Punjabiਨਿਰੀਖਣ
ਨਿਰੀਖਣ" is a derivative of the Sanskrit word निरीक्षण (nīr-īkṣ-aṇa), which means 'looking out' or 'close examination'. Its other meanings include 'inspection', 'observation', 'supervision', 'examination', and 'consideration'.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)නිරීක්ෂණය
The word "නිරීක්ෂණය" in Sinhala is derived from the Sanskrit word "nirīkṣaṇa", which means "looking at" or "observing".
Tamilகவனிப்பு
"கவனிப்பு" originally meant "care", "attention", "heed" in Tamil, and only later came to be used with the meaning of "observation".
Teluguపరిశీలన
The Telugu word "పరిశీలన" ("observation") is derived from the Sanskrit root "pariksha", meaning "to examine" or "to test".
Urduمشاہدہ
The word "مشاہدہ" (observation) originates from the Arabic root "شاهد" meaning "to see", and also means "witness" in Urdu.

Observation in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)观察
The word “观察” was originally used to denote the way in which the celestial bodies could be monitored and recorded.
Chinese (Traditional)觀察
"觀察" comes from "觀望察覺", with "觀" meaning to look or see and "察" meaning to discern or detect.
Japanese観察
観察 kanji observation consists of 観 means see 察 means inspect
Korean관측
The word "관측" (observation) derives from the root "관" (to see) and is cognate with the Chinese word "观察" (to observe).
Mongolianажиглалт
The Mongolian word "ажиглалт" ("observation") also refers to the act of supervision or monitoring.
Myanmar (Burmese)လေ့လာခြင်း

Observation in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianpengamatan
"Pengamatan" comes from the root "amat", which can also mean "to observe" and "to see".
Javanesepengamatan
The Javanese word "pengamatan" also means "research" or "study".
Khmerការសង្កេត
It derives from Pali, where it means 'to look around, search for, seek' and 'to expect, wait for'.
Laoການສັງເກດ
Malaypemerhatian
Pem-erhatian is derived from the root word 'erhat' which means to know.
Thaiการสังเกต
In Thai, "การสังเกต" not only means "observation" but also "a survey" or "an interview."
Vietnamesequan sát
"Quan sát" relates to the verb "can" (to see), and also means "to look at" and "to examine."
Filipino (Tagalog)pagmamasid

Observation in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanimüşahidə
"müşahidə" means "observation" in Azerbaijani. It also means "oversight" and "supervision".
Kazakhбақылау
The Kazakh word "бақылау" is thought to be a loanword from the Russian word "наблюдение".
Kyrgyzбайкоо
The same word means "observation" in Tajik and Persian, "look" in Mongolian, "watch" in Turkish.
Tajikмушоҳида
The word "мушоҳида" (observation) in Tajik is derived from Persian "مشاهده", which can also mean "sight" or "vision."
Turkmensyn etmek
Uzbekkuzatuv
"Kuzatuv" also means "to watch, to spy, to follow" in Uzbek.
Uyghurكۆزىتىش

Observation in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianka nānā ʻana
The Hawaiian word "ka nānā ʻana" can also mean "the act of looking" or "the act of paying attention to something".
Maoritirohanga
The Maori word "tirohanga" also signifies "a place, or way of looking out for, or hiding from an enemy."
Samoanmaitauina
The word 'maitauina' originally meant 'to notice' before also coming to mean 'observation'
Tagalog (Filipino)pagmamasid
The term 'pagmamasid' also has secondary meanings of 'investigation', 'monitoring', or 'inspection'.

Observation in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarauñjawi
Guaranijesareko

Observation in International Languages

Esperantoobservado
The Esperanto word 'observado' is derived from the Latin word 'observare', meaning 'to watch' or 'to pay attention to'.
Latinobservationis
In medieval Latin, "observationis" also referred to a form of religious practice involving self-examination and contemplation.

Observation in Others Languages

Greekπαρατήρηση
In Ancient Greek, the word "παρατήρηση" referred to an official's inspection of the army prior to battle.
Hmongkev saib
The word "kev saib" can also mean "to look" or "to watch" in Hmong.
Kurdishçavkirinî
The Kurdish word 'çavkirinî' originates from Old Iranian 'čāukar-' meaning 'to watch, spy' and is related to Sanskrit 'cākara-' ('attendant, servant').
Turkishgözlem
The word "gözlem" comes from the Persian word "guzal", meaning "beautiful" or "pleasing to the eye."
Xhosaukuqaphela
The word ukuqaphela is sometimes used in the sense of 'to observe' or 'to scrutinize', but it also has the figurative meaning of 'to take care of' or 'to be mindful of'.
Yiddishאָבסערוואַציע
The Yiddish word 'אָבסערוואַציע' ('observation') also has the alternate meaning of 'supervision' or 'scrutiny'.
Zuluukubonwa
Ukubonwa also refers to witnessing, seeing, experiencing, and being noticed by.
Assameseপৰ্যবেক্ষণ
Aymarauñjawi
Bhojpuriअवलोकन
Dhivehiއޮބްޒަރވްކުރުން
Dogriटिप्पनी
Filipino (Tagalog)pagmamasid
Guaranijesareko
Ilocanopanangkita a nalaing
Kriofɔ wach
Kurdish (Sorani)چاودێریکردن
Maithiliनिरिक्षण
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯌꯦꯡꯁꯤꯟꯕꯒꯤ ꯊꯧꯑꯣꯡ
Mizohmuhdan
Oromohubannoo
Odia (Oriya)ପର୍ଯ୍ୟବେକ୍ଷଣ
Quechuaqawariy
Sanskritदर्शनं
Tatarкүзәтү
Tigrinyaትዕዝብቲ
Tsongambalango

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