Translation guide
The English word "judgment" covers several distinct meanings, from legal rulings to personal opinions and the ability to make decisions. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
Expressing an official legal decision, verdict, or ruling.
The standard term for a court judgment or ruling in a legal case.
The court handed down a guilty judgment against the defendant.
The verb phrase meaning "to render a judgment" or "to pass a sentence."
The judge has not yet rendered a judgment.
The written judgment or court opinion document.
The written judgment will be released next week.
Expressing a personal assessment, critique, or conclusion about something.
General term for judgment as a decision or assessment based on reasoning. Often used in phrases like "make a judgment."
I'll leave the final judgment to you.
Evaluation or appraisal, often used for performance, quality, or value judgments.
A formal opinion or view, often used in professional or academic contexts.
Referring to the faculty of discernment, good sense, or sound decision-making.
The capacity for judgment; decision-making ability.
He has excellent judgment.
Prudence, discretion, or good sense, often implying maturity and wisdom.
Good sense or sound judgment, often used in social contexts.
Expressing a negative assessment, often moral or personal.
Religious or mythological context of God's judgment or the Last Judgment.
判断 (handan) is a general term for judgment as a decision or assessment, while 判決 (hanketsu) is specifically a legal ruling. Use 判断 for everyday decisions and 判決 only in court contexts.
His judgment was correct. (general)
The judgment will be handed down next month. (legal)
English 'judgment' covers many nuances. Using one Japanese word for all contexts will sound unnatural. Always consider the specific meaning: legal ruling, personal opinion, decision-making ability, or criticism.
In my judgment, he is guilty.
She showed poor judgment.
The court issued a judgment.
His judgment was correct.
The judgment of his work is harsh.
専門家の見解を聞きたい。
I'd like to hear the expert's judgment.
Judgment can decline with age.
彼は分別のある人だ。
He is a man of judgment.
良識ある行動を期待する。
We expect behavior based on good judgment.
She received unfair judgment.