傍観(ぼうかん)

ぼうかん
noun, suru-verb
looking on; standing by; spectating
1. looking on; standing by; spectating
Watching a situation unfold without getting involved or taking action. Often carries a negative connotation of passivity or indifference when action might be needed.
いじめを傍観(ぼうかん)してはいけない。
You shouldn't just stand by and watch bullying happen.
事故(じこ)を傍観(ぼうかん)する人(ひと)がいた。
There were people just looking on at the accident.
傍観者(ぼうかんしゃ)の立場(たちば)ではいられない。
I can't remain just a bystander.

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 傍(ぼう) - beside, nearby
  • 観(かん) - to watch, to observe

KEY DERIVATIVES:

  • 傍観者(ぼうかんしゃ) - bystander, onlooker, spectator
  • 傍観(ぼうかん)姿勢(しせい) - stance of non-involvement

NUANCE:
傍観(ぼうかん) often implies criticism - that someone should be acting but is choosing not to. It suggests moral passivity or indifference.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 傍観(ぼうかん)を決(き)め込(こ)む - to decide to stay out of it
  • 傍観(ぼうかん)する態度(たいど) - attitude of non-involvement
  • 傍観(ぼうかん)に徹(てっ)する - to remain strictly as an observer

CONTRASTING TERMS:

  • 介入(かいにゅう) - intervention (opposite action)
  • 参加(さんか) - participation
  • 関与(かんよ) - involvement

REGISTER:
Neutral to formal. Common in news and discussions of social issues.

Related Words

Antonym: 介入(かいにゅう) (intervention)
core
Added 2026.1.19 17:14 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07000/07424_boukan