(かんしとう)

かんしとう
noun
watchtower; observation tower; guard tower
1. watchtower; observation tower; guard tower
a tall structure used for surveillance, observation, or guarding an area
国境(こっきょう)監視塔(かんしとう)()っている。
A watchtower stands at the border.
刑務所(けいむしょ)四隅(よすみ)監視塔(かんしとう)設置(せっち)されている。
Guard towers are placed at the four corners of the prison.
ベルリンの(かべ)跡地(あとち)には、かつての監視塔(かんしとう)歴史的(れきしてき)記念物(きねんぶつ)として保存(ほぞん)されている。
At the site of the former Berlin Wall, old watchtowers are preserved as historical monuments.

Composed of 監視(かんし) (surveillance; monitoring) + (とう) (tower). Refers to towers used for military, security, or correctional purposes. In historical contexts, watchtowers were used for border defense and fire detection.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 監視塔(かんしとう)設置(せっち)する: to install a watchtower
  • 監視塔(かんしとう)から見張(みは)る: to keep watch from a watchtower
  • 監視塔(かんしとう)兵士(へいし): soldier in the watchtower
  • 監視塔(かんしとう)(のぼ)る: to climb a watchtower

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 見張(みは)(だい): lookout platform — a simpler, smaller observation point
  • 展望台(てんぼうだい): observation deck; viewing platform — for sightseeing, not security
  • 物見(ものみ)やぐら: watchtower (traditional style) — a historical Japanese term for a wooden watchtower used in castles