Osservare

Osservare is an Italian verb that means to observe, to watch with attention, to notice or to take note of something. It also conveys the sense of complying with rules or norms, as in osservare una legge. In scientific or investigative contexts it denotes careful, systematic observation of phenomena or data. The sense can therefore range from everyday looking to deliberate, methodical scrutiny.

Grammatically, osservare is a regular first-conjugation verb (-are). Its present indicative forms are: osservo, osservi, osserva, osserviamo, osservate, osservano. The passato prossimo is "ho osservato"; imperfect "osservavo"; future "osserverò". The subjunctive present is "osservi" and the imperfect is "osservassi" (or "osservassi" in some varieties). The past participle is osservato. Related nouns include osservazione (observation), osservatore (observer), osservatorio (observatory), osservanza (observance, compliance).

Usage notes: osservare is normally transitive and used with a direct object or with a clause introduced by "che" or "di" (osservare che / osservare di). It contrasts with guardare, which can imply mere sight without attention or norms. It can describe close watching ("osservare da vicino"), scientific measurement, or compliance with rules ("osservare le norme"). In religious or monastic contexts it can also mean to keep a rule or vow ("osservare la regola").

Etymology and derivatives: the verb derives from Latin observare, from ob- "toward" + servare "to keep, guard," originally meaning "to watch over" or "to heed." Related terms in Italian include osservazione, osservatorio, e osservante.

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