1.
to watch over, to keep an eye on
To observe someone or something carefully to ensure their safety or well-being.
子供を見守る。
To watch over a child.
母親が子供を見守っている。
The mother is watching over her child.
先生が生徒の成長を見守っている。
The teacher is watching over the students' growth.
親は静かに子供の挑戦を見守った。
The parents quietly watched over their child's challenge.
地域の人たちが通学する子供たちを見守っている。
People in the community watch over children on their way to school.
2.
to observe attentively
To watch how a situation develops without intervening, often with concern or interest.
状況を見守る。
To watch the situation.
私たちは事態の成り行きを見守るしかない。
All we can do is watch how things develop.
選挙の結果を見守っている。
I am watching the election results.
彼らは息を呑んで試合の結果を見守った。
They watched the outcome of the match with bated breath.
[Note: 息を呑む is an idiom meaning 'to hold one's breath']
世界中の人々がこの問題の行方を見守っている。
People around the world are watching where this issue goes.
見守る is a transitive verb (他動詞) meaning to watch over or observe protectively.
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 見る (to see) + 守る (to protect) → to watch protectively
ASPECT (ている):
見守っている indicates an ongoing protective observation.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 子供を見守る (watch over a child)
- 成長を見守る (watch someone grow up)
- 状況を見守る (monitor a situation)
- 静かに見守る (watch quietly without interfering)
NUANCE:
Implies caring observation, often without direct intervention. Used when one wants to let someone handle things on their own while being ready to help if needed.
[Register: Neutral]