observar

to observe, to notice

verb ohb-sehr-BAHR Less Common

Also means

to comply with (a rule)

Usage Note

Observar can mean to watch carefully (observar el comportamiento), to notice (se observa un cambio), or to comply with norms (observar las reglas). The noun observación and agent observador/a are common. It is more formal than mirar (looking) and implies attentive, often scientific, watching.

Examples

"Los científicos observaron el fenómeno durante horas."

Natural Translation

The scientists observed the phenomenon for hours.

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