← Back to Fala2Me

observe

[/əbˈzɜːrv/]
verb
observar
1. to notice or perceive something and register it as being significant
I observed that she seemed nervous during the presentation.
Observei que ela parecia nervosa durante a apresentação.
2. to watch carefully, especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment
The scientist observed the bacteria under the microscope.
O cientista observou as bactérias sob o microscópio.
3. to comply with or follow a law, custom, practice, or agreement
All citizens must observe traffic laws.
Todos os cidadãos devem observar as leis de trânsito.
4. to celebrate or commemorate an occasion
We observed her birthday with a special dinner.
Celebramos seu aniversário com um jantar especial.
Synonyms
noticewatchperceiveseecomplyfollowcelebrate
Antonyms
ignoreoverlookdisregardviolatebreak

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
observar
standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
observar
standard usage, sometimes 'reparar' as colloquial alternative
Rio de Janeiro
observar
standard usage
Portugal
observar
standard usage; 'cumprir' preferred for 'comply with' contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

observe the silence - guardar silêncio
observe a moment of silence - fazer um minuto de silêncio
observe the rules - cumprir as regras
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →