observe

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading of 観 is かん, and its kun reading is みる. It has 18 strokes and relates to observing or viewing.
• Basic usage: 観察 is read かんさつ, and 観光 is read かんこう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 観察 and 観光
  • 観察 means observation.
  • 虫眼鏡で葉の表面を観察した。 means “We observed the surface of the leaf with a magnifying glass.”
  • 観光 means sightseeing or tourism.
  • 午前中は古い城下町を観光した。 means “We went sightseeing in the old castle town in the morning.”