Regarder vs. observer

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill) W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour - I was going to use 'regarder', but changed it to 'observer' just to see if it would work and it was not accepted. Both Collins and LaRousse give 'to watch, or to observe' as translations for 'observer'. Is there any reason why 'observer' wouldn't work in this case?

Merci beaucoup.

This question relates to:French writing exercise "My favourite winter drink"

Freeform Writing Exercise A1

Asked 2 years ago

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Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Bonjour N.

Regarder has a sense less intense than observer.

Regarder -- to look/see but without a sense of examining.

Observer -- to look, but more intensively, taking in detail.

This is my understanding as to why observer is the least appropriate in the context of this story.

Bonne journée

Jim

Like12 years ago

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill) W. asked:

regarder vs. observer

Bonjour - I was going to use 'regarder', but changed it to 'observer' just to see if it would work and it was not accepted. Both Collins and LaRousse give 'to watch, or to observe' as translations for 'observer'. Is there any reason why 'observer' wouldn't work in this case?

Merci beaucoup.

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