The Meaning of kansatsu [観察] In Japanese

観察
かんさつ
Romaji: kansatsu N4

What does 観察 mean?

Translation and Meaning

observation, viewing, inspection; to observe

Definition

観察 means the act of watching phenomena or behavior carefully to gather information; it is a noun that denotes the process or result of observing, and it can be used with 観察する to form the verb.

Type

Noun (suru-verb)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • the deliberate act of watching and examining something to learn about it
  • a systematic process used in science, fieldwork, or research to collect data through sight and awareness
  • the ability to notice relevant details, often stated as 観察力
  • in specialized contexts, 観察 can refer to the results or notes of an observation, such as observational studies

Etymology

観 means to view or perceive and 察 means to inspect or notice; the compound conveys the sense of attentive viewing, with kansatsu as the standard reading

Composition

  • 観: to see, perceive, notice
  • 察: to inspect, notice, consider

Usage

Used in formal contexts such as scientific reporting, psychology, ethnography, and education; in everyday language it appears in structured contexts and in phrases like 観察する, 観察力. It denotes a deliberate and systematic form of looking rather than a casual glance.
💡 Tips
Visualize a spectator whose eyes focus on a scene; the two kanji combine viewing with careful inspection, a cue to remember that 観察 means watching for information

Variations

  • 観測 kansoku; nuance: measurement-based observation, used in science
  • 監視 kanshi; nuance: surveillance or monitoring
  • 注視 chūshi; nuance: fixed, attentive gaze
  • 観察力 kansatsuryoku; ability to observe

Example Phrases

  • 授業中、学生が観察ノートに現象を記録する。
    jugyo-chu, gakusei ga kansatsu nooto ni gensho o kiroku suru.
    During class, a student records phenomena in an observation notebook.
    Lista:
    • 授業中 (jugyo-chu) – during class
    • 学生が (gakusei ga) – the student
    • 観察ノートに (kansatsu nooto ni) – to the observation notebook
    • 現象を (gensho o) – phenomena
    • 記録する (kiroku suru) – to record
    観察 is a noun meaning ‘observation’; in this sentence it forms 「観察ノート」 meaning ‘observation notebook’, and に marks the notebook as the destination for 記録する.
  • 今夜、私は近所の公園で星を観察しようと、望遠鏡を取り出した。
    Kon’ya, watashi wa kinjo no kōen de hoshi o kansatsu shiyou to, bōenkyō o toridashita.
    Tonight, I went to a nearby park to observe the stars and took out my telescope.
    Lista:
    • 今夜 (kon’ya) – night
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • 近所の公園で (kinjo no kōen de) – at a nearby park
    • 星を観察しようと (hoshi o kansatsu shiyou to) – to observe stars
    • 望遠鏡を取り出した (bōenkyō o toridashita) – took out the telescope
    In this sentence, 「望遠鏡」 functions as the instrument marked by を in 望遠鏡を取り出した; the phrase 〜ために expresses purpose.
観察