Surveiller

The French verb 'surveiller' translates to 'to watch over,' 'to observe,' or 'to monitor' in English. It implies a sustained and attentive observation, often for a specific purpose, such as ensuring security, gathering information, or maintaining control. The act involves careful scrutiny and awareness of actions, events, or individuals. surveiller often carries connotations of a structured or formal approach to observation, distinct from casual viewing. The duration and intensity can vary depending on the context, ranging from brief checks to continuous, long-term surveillance. It is commonly used in contexts involving security, law enforcement, and scientific research, but can also apply in more general settings requiring attentive observation.

Surveiller meaning with examples

• Les détectives ont surveillé la maison suspecte pendant des jours, espérant trouver des preuves de fraude. (The detectives surveilled the suspect house for days, hoping to find evidence of fraud.) They meticulously documented all entries and exits, building a case based on their observations and using complex recording equipment.
• Le gouvernement a mis en place un programme pour surveiller les activités en ligne des terroristes potentiels afin de prévenir les attaques. (The government established a program to surveil the online activities of potential terrorists to prevent attacks.) This involved scrutinizing communications and analyzing data for suspicious patterns and keywords. This action has resulted in the investigation of several persons of interest.
• Les chercheurs ont utilisé des caméras pour surveiller le comportement des animaux dans leur habitat naturel, recueillant des données précieuses sur leur mode de vie. (Researchers used cameras to surveil animal behavior in their natural habitat, gathering valuable data on their lifestyles.) This allowed them to analyze complex group dynamics and feeding patterns over extended periods of time.
• Le gardien de sécurité a été chargé de surveiller les allées et venues des employés afin d'assurer la sécurité du bâtiment et de ses occupants. (The security guard was tasked with surveilling the comings and goings of employees to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants.) This involved the careful examination of identification and the reporting of any suspicious activity.
• Dans le contexte médical, les médecins surveillent attentivement les patients après une chirurgie pour détecter d'éventuelles complications et assurer une récupération en douceur. (In a medical context, doctors carefully surveil patients after surgery to detect potential complications and ensure a smooth recovery.) This requires constant monitoring of vital signs and symptoms, allowing for prompt intervention if problems arise.