Observer in Different Languages
Discover 'Observer' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'observer' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting someone who watches, listens, or notices things, often with a critical eye. Observers are essential in many fields, from science to journalism, as they help us understand the world around us.
Culturally, the concept of observation has been explored in various ways. In literature, characters like Sherlock Holmes embody the power of observation, using it to solve mysteries. In philosophy, the Observer Effect posits that the act of observation can influence the phenomenon being observed.
Knowing the translation of 'observer' in different languages can be fascinating and useful, especially for those working in international settings or studying foreign cultures. It can also help travelers, as understanding this term can facilitate communication and cultural exchange.
Here are a few translations of the word 'observer':
- Spanish: observador
- French: observateur
- German: Beobachter
- Mandarin: 观察者 (guānchá zhě)
- Japanese: 観察者 (kansatsusha)
Observer
Observer in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | waarnemer | ||
| The Afrikaans word "waarnemer" is derived from the Dutch word "waarnemer", meaning "observer," and also denotes a "witness" or "watchman." | |||
| Amharic | ታዛቢ | ||
| The word ታዛቢ can also mean 'overseer', 'inspector', 'supervisor', or 'curator' in Amharic. | |||
| Hausa | mai lura | ||
| The word Mai lura may also refer to a person who witnesses an event or a traditional leader who oversees community affairs. | |||
| Igbo | ekiri | ||
| The word "Ekiri" in Igbo can also mean a "spectator" or "witness" of an event. | |||
| Malagasy | mpandinika | ||
| The word "mpandinika" can also mean "mirror" or "spectacles" in Malagasy. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | wopenyerera | ||
| The word "wopenyerera" also means "one who takes responsibility" in Nyanja. | |||
| Shona | observer | ||
| The Shona word "mupereki" also means "one who waits" or "one who watches". | |||
| Somali | goobjooge | ||
| The term "Goobjooge" can also refer to an "eye-witness" or a "reporter that is present at the time of the event being discussed". | |||
| Sesotho | moshebelli | ||
| Moshebelli can also mean "spectator" or "lookout." | |||
| Swahili | mtazamaji | ||
| Though "mtazamaji" directly translates as "observer," when referring to the self, it can also imply "audience." | |||
| Xhosa | umbonisi | ||
| 'Umbonisi' in Xhosa also denotes a person keeping watch over others. | |||
| Yoruba | oluwoye | ||
| Oluwoye is also a name denoting an Oba (king) of Ibadan. | |||
| Zulu | obukele | ||
| The Zulu word 'obukele' also means 'to be on guard', suggesting the observer's watchful role. | |||
| Bambara | kɔlɔsilikɛla | ||
| Ewe | eteƒekpɔla | ||
| Kinyarwanda | indorerezi | ||
| Lingala | motali | ||
| Luganda | omutunuulizi | ||
| Sepedi | mmogedi | ||
| Twi (Akan) | ɔhwɛfo | ||
Observer in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | مراقب | ||
| مراقب means "observer" or "one who looks after" in Arabic. | |||
| Hebrew | מַשׁקִיף | ||
| The word "מַשׁקִיף" (observer) can also mean "a person who draws water from a well or spring" or "a person who looks out of a window". In Arabic, the word "مشكوف" means "a person who is standing in a high place and watching". | |||
| Pashto | کتونکی | ||
| The word "کتونکی" in Pashto is derived from the Persian word "کتون" meaning "linen" and the suffix "کی" meaning "person", originally referring to a person who wore linen garments. | |||
| Arabic | مراقب | ||
| مراقب means "observer" or "one who looks after" in Arabic. | |||
Observer in Western European Languages
| Albanian | vëzhgues | ||
| The word "vëzhgues" comes from the Latin "videre," meaning "to see." | |||
| Basque | behatzailea | ||
| The Basque word "behatzailea" also means "spy" and is derived from the verb "behatu" (to observe). | |||
| Catalan | observador | ||
| The word "observador" in Catalan originates from the Latin word "observare," meaning "to watch, to pay attention to, or to keep in view." | |||
| Croatian | posmatrač | ||
| In Croatian, "posmatrač" can also mean "spectator" or "watcher". | |||
| Danish | observatør | ||
| Observatør is a loan word in Danish, derived from French and originally meaning 'examiner'. | |||
| Dutch | waarnemer | ||
| "Waar" means "true" or "real" and "nemer" is a taker, so a "waarnemer" is "one who takes the truth". | |||
| English | observer | ||
| An "observer" can also be a mathematical term used to describe the operator of a specific vector space. | |||
| French | observateur | ||
| The French word "observateur" can also mean "spy" or "lookout". | |||
| Frisian | waarnimmer | ||
| In Old Frisian, waarnimmer also carried the meanings "ruler", "steward", or "bailiff". | |||
| Galician | observador | ||
| The Galician word "observador" can also mean "inspector" or "watchman". | |||
| German | beobachter | ||
| The word "Beobachter" originally meant "watcher" or "guard". This meaning is still reflected in the word "Beobachtung" (observation), which can also mean "guard duty". | |||
| Icelandic | áheyrnarfulltrúi | ||
| The word ‘áheyrnarfulltrúi’ comes from the Old Norse word ‘áheyrn’, meaning ‘audience’, and ‘fulltrúi’, meaning ‘representative’.”} | |||
| Irish | breathnadóir | ||
| The Irish word "breathnadóir" can also refer to a "reporter" or "informer." | |||
| Italian | osservatore | ||
| The Italian word "osservatore" derives from the Latin verb "observare", meaning "to watch, to guard, to take notice of." | |||
| Luxembourgish | observateur | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "Observateur" can also refer to a person who works in a military intelligence unit. | |||
| Maltese | osservatur | ||
| The word "osservatur" is a borrowing from Italian. | |||
| Norwegian | observatør | ||
| The Norwegian word "observatør" can also mean "watcher" or "spectator". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | observador | ||
| Observador can also mean 'bystander' or 'lookout' in Portuguese. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | neach-amhairc | ||
| A variation of this word, neach-amhairc-mara, originally meant "sea watcher". | |||
| Spanish | observador | ||
| In Spanish, 'observador' also means 'lookout', 'inspector', or 'critic'. | |||
| Swedish | observatör | ||
| In Swedish, "observatör" can also mean "participant" or "attendant". | |||
| Welsh | sylwedydd | ||
| It is derived from the Middle Welsh 'sylwy' (to observe, notice, look at) | |||
Observer in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | назіральнік | ||
| The word “назіральнік” is derived from the verb “назіраць”, which means “to watch” or “to observe”, and is related to the noun “зір”, which means “sight” or “vision”. | |||
| Bosnian | posmatrač | ||
| The word "posmatrač" is derived from the verb "posmatrati" meaning "to observe" and adding the suffix "-ač" for a male observer or "-ka" for a female observer. | |||
| Bulgarian | наблюдател | ||
| The word "наблюдател" in Bulgarian can also refer to an individual who witnesses or testifies to an event | |||
| Czech | pozorovatel | ||
| Pozorovatel also means 'caretaker' or 'warder' in Czech, and is related to the verb 'pozorovat' ('to observe'). | |||
| Estonian | vaatleja | ||
| The Estonian word “vaatleja” (observer), is derived from the verb “vaatama” (to look, to observe, to view, to watch), sharing the same root with the German word “warten” (to wait). | |||
| Finnish | tarkkailija | ||
| "Tarkkailija" is derived from the verb "tarkkailla" meaning "to observe" or "to watch". It can also refer to a "watchman" or a "guard". | |||
| Hungarian | megfigyelő | ||
| Megfigyelő, the Hungarian word for "observer", derives from the verb "megfigyel", which means "to watch closely" or "to keep under surveillance." | |||
| Latvian | novērotājs | ||
| Novērotājs derives from "novērot" (to observe) and relates to the word "novērojums" (observation). | |||
| Lithuanian | stebėtojas | ||
| The Lithuanian word "stebėtojas" is not restricted to the scientific sense but may also apply to eyewitnesses of a crime. | |||
| Macedonian | набудувач | ||
| In Ukrainian, the word "набудувач" also means "future buyer" or "prospective customer." | |||
| Polish | obserwator | ||
| In Polish, "obserwator" is also a type of mushroom. | |||
| Romanian | observator | ||
| In Romanian, the word "observator" also means "a room or building from which astronomical or meteorological observations are made". | |||
| Russian | наблюдатель | ||
| "Наблюдатель" also means a person who monitors a particular subject or area, often in official capacity, such as electoral observers overseeing an election. | |||
| Serbian | посматрач | ||
| Its root 'posmatrati' means 'to observe, watch, look at', originating from the word 'motriti' meaning 'to watch, to look' | |||
| Slovak | pozorovateľ | ||
| The word "pozorovateľ" can also mean "watcher" or "witness" in Slovak. | |||
| Slovenian | opazovalec | ||
| The word 'opazovalec' is derived from the verb 'opazovati' meaning 'to observe, watch, or monitor.' | |||
| Ukrainian | спостерігач | ||
| Ukrainian спостерігач derives from a word meaning 'overseer' and is related to English words starting with 'super-' | |||
Observer in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | পর্যবেক্ষক | ||
| পর্যবেক্ষক can also refer to a specific role in a board or committee, or to a periodical that publishes observations and research. | |||
| Gujarati | નિરીક્ષક | ||
| The Gujarati word "નિરીક્ષક" ("nirīkṣak") also means "one who looks out for" or "a guardian". | |||
| Hindi | देखने वाला | ||
| The Hindi word "देखने वाला" can also refer to a spectator, witness, or beholder. | |||
| Kannada | ವೀಕ್ಷಕ | ||
| The word 'ವೀಕ್ಷಕ' (observer) in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word 'वि-क्षिप', meaning 'to look around' or 'to perceive'. | |||
| Malayalam | നിരീക്ഷകൻ | ||
| Marathi | निरीक्षक | ||
| The word "निरीक्षक" in Marathi can also refer to an inspector or a superintendent. | |||
| Nepali | अवलोकनकर्ता | ||
| In astronomy, an observer is the stationary reference frame from which celestial objects appear to move. | |||
| Punjabi | ਨਿਰੀਖਕ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | නිරීක්ෂකයා | ||
| Tamil | பார்வையாளர் | ||
| The Tamil word "பார்வையாளர்" (observer) also refers to someone who watches or attends a performance or event. | |||
| Telugu | పరిశీలకుడు | ||
| The word "పరిశీలకుడు" literally means "the one who sees the whole" in Telugu, highlighting its role in witnessing and analyzing events. | |||
| Urdu | مبصر | ||
| مبصر can refer to a visually impaired person in some contexts | |||
Observer in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 观察者 | ||
| 观察者 can also be used as a noun meaning "a person who observes or notices something", or an adjective meaning "attentive; noticing; observant." | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 觀察者 | ||
| The word '觀察者' (traditional Chinese for 'observer') originally meant 'to closely examine' or 'to observe with great detail'. | |||
| Japanese | 観察者 | ||
| 観察者 also signifies 'inspector', 'supervisor', 'examiner', 'monitor', 'auditor', 'watcher', 'viewer', 'spectator', 'observer participant', 'researcher', 'investigator', 'detector', 'lookout', 'spotter', 'recce man', 'astronomer', 'seer', 'psychic', 'mystic', 'clairvoyant', 'prophet', 'augur', 'haruspex', 'sciomancer', 'palmist', 'chiromancer', 'dream interpeter', 'cryptographer', 'codebreaker', 'analyst', 'intelligence expert', 'cryptologist', 'cryptanalyst', 'code analyst', 'code expert', 'decrypter', 'decipherer', 'intelligence agent', 'espionage agent', 'reconnaissance agent', 'scout', 'spy', 'sleuth', 'detective', 'investigator', 'interrogator', 'questioner', 'policeman', 'police officer', 'constable', 'cop', 'police detective', 'private eye', 'private detective', 'criminal investigator', 'homicide detective', 'police inspector', 'lieutenant', 'captain', 'superintendent', 'commander', 'policeman', 'police woman', 'peace officer', 'law enforcement officer', 'correctional officer', 'prison guard', 'jailer', 'turnkey', 'policeman', 'police officer'} | |||
| Korean | 관찰자 | ||
| The Korean word "관찰자" can also refer to a referee, a mediator, or a bystander. | |||
| Mongolian | ажиглагч | ||
| The term 'ажиглагч' also carries the connotation of an 'examiner' or 'inspector'. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | လေ့လာသူ | ||
Observer in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | pengamat | ||
| 'Pengamat' also means 'watcher' while 'penglihat' means 'seer' | |||
| Javanese | pengamat | ||
| Pengamat in Javanese not only means observer, but also refers to something or someone being observed. | |||
| Khmer | អ្នកសង្កេតការណ៍ | ||
| The word "អ្នកសង្កេតការណ៍" (observer) originates from the French word "observateur" and has the alternate meaning of someone who watches or takes notice. | |||
| Lao | ຜູ້ສັງເກດການ | ||
| Malay | pemerhati | ||
| The Malay word "pemerhati" is also used to refer to a "watcher" or "monitor". | |||
| Thai | ผู้สังเกตการณ์ | ||
| The word "ผู้สังเกตการณ์" can also mean "a person who watches something happen." | |||
| Vietnamese | người quan sát | ||
| The Vietnamese word "người quan sát" can also mean "audience" or "viewer" in the context of the arts or entertainment. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tagamasid | ||
Observer in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | müşahidəçi | ||
| Müşahidəçi in Azerbaijani also refers specifically to an astronomy observer. | |||
| Kazakh | бақылаушы | ||
| Kyrgyz | байкоочу | ||
| The word "байкоочу" can also refer to a person who monitors or supervises a process or activity. | |||
| Tajik | нозир | ||
| The word "нозир" in Tajik can also mean "inspector" or "supervisor". | |||
| Turkmen | synçy | ||
| Uzbek | kuzatuvchi | ||
| The word "kuzatuvchi" in Uzbek can also be used to refer to someone who spies or monitors others, or to a device such as a satellite or telescope used for surveillance. | |||
| Uyghur | كۈزەتكۈچى | ||
Observer in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | mea nānā | ||
| "Mea nānā" is a compound word that comes from "mea" (thing) and "nānā" (to look), meaning "a thing that looks". | |||
| Maori | kaitirotiro | ||
| The Maori word "kaitirotiro" can also refer to a researcher, a watcher, or a caretaker. | |||
| Samoan | tagata matau | ||
| In Samoan, 'tagata matau' can also refer to a person who observes or studies something closely, particularly in a scientific or academic setting. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | tagamasid | ||
| The term 'tagamasid' has its etymology in the Sanskrit word 'vidya', meaning knowledge and awareness. | |||
Observer in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | uñjiri | ||
| Guarani | ohecháva | ||
Observer in International Languages
| Esperanto | observanto | ||
| The word "observanto" can also mean "observatory" or "observing" in Esperanto. | |||
| Latin | et observet somnia | ||
| In Latin, the word "et observet somnia" literally means "and let them observe dreams." This phrase is often used in a metaphorical sense, meaning "to pay attention to things that seem trivial or insignificant." | |||
Observer in Others Languages
| Greek | παρατηρητής | ||
| Παρατηρητής can mean 'observer,' 'lookout,' 'spectator,' 'bystander,' or 'examiner' in Greek. | |||
| Hmong | neeg saib | ||
| The word "neeg saib" derives from the root word "saib," meaning "to see" or "to perceive," and is used to describe one who observes or gathers information. | |||
| Kurdish | çavdêr | ||
| The word "çavdêr" is derived from the Persian word "çāv" ("scout") and the Kurdish suffix "-der" ("one who does"). | |||
| Turkish | gözlemci | ||
| The word "gözlemci" is derived from the Turkish word "gözlemek" meaning "to observe", and is also used to refer to a "watcher" or "inspector". | |||
| Xhosa | umbonisi | ||
| 'Umbonisi' in Xhosa also denotes a person keeping watch over others. | |||
| Yiddish | אַבזערווער | ||
| The word "אַבזערווער" in Yiddish can also refer to a "watcher" or "spectator." | |||
| Zulu | obukele | ||
| The Zulu word 'obukele' also means 'to be on guard', suggesting the observer's watchful role. | |||
| Assamese | পৰ্যবেক্ষক | ||
| Aymara | uñjiri | ||
| Bhojpuri | पर्यवेक्षक के बा | ||
| Dhivehi | އޮބްޒާވަރެވެ | ||
| Dogri | पर्यवेक्षक | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tagamasid | ||
| Guarani | ohecháva | ||
| Ilocano | agpalpaliiw | ||
| Krio | pɔsin we de wach | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | چاودێر | ||
| Maithili | पर्यवेक्षक | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯑꯣꯕꯖꯥꯔꯚꯔ ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥ ꯊꯕꯛ ꯇꯧꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | entu a ni | ||
| Oromo | taajjabduu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ପର୍ଯ୍ୟବେକ୍ଷକ | ||
| Quechua | qhawaq | ||
| Sanskrit | प्रेक्षकः | ||
| Tatar | күзәтүче | ||
| Tigrinya | ተዓዛቢ | ||
| Tsonga | mulanguti | ||