Pozorovat

Pozorovat is a Czech verb meaning to observe, to watch, or to monitor. It is transitive and typically imperfective, used for intentional, attentive looking at something over time or for the purpose of documentation or inquiry. The expression applies to natural phenomena, behavior, experiments, or everyday noticing. In scientific or ethnographic contexts, pozorovat conveys a methodical approach rather than casual glancing. The verb is a common term for description, analysis, and reporting.

Etymology and related forms: Pozorovat is derived from the noun pozor, meaning attention, watchfulness, or warning (as in Pozor! “Watch out!”). Related nouns include pozorování (observation, monitoring) and pozorovatel (observer). The present tense is pozoruji, pozoruješ, pozoruje, pozorujeme, pozorujete, pozorují; the imperative forms are pozoruj and pozorujte. The imperfective aspect indicates ongoing or repeated observation, while a corresponding perfective form is typically built with prefixes or alternative verbs depending on context.

Usage notes: In contrast to sledovat (to monitor or follow), pozorovat often emphasizes careful, direct perception of phenomena or actions, sometimes with qualitative assessment. The verb appears in scientific reporting, field notes, or descriptive prose. It is commonly combined with adverbs such as dlouhodobě (“long-term”) or bedlivě (“carefully”). Related expressions include zpozorovat (to notice, detect) and pozorovatel (observer).