Translation guide
The English word 'referee' refers to an official who enforces rules in sports or a person who provides a reference. In Japanese, different terms are used depending on the context: sports officiating, academic/professional references, or dispute resolution.
An official who enforces rules during a game or match.
General term for referee, umpire, or judge in sports. Can be used for most sports.
Being a soccer referee is tough.
The player protested the referee's decision.
Loanword from English, used specifically for sports like soccer, basketball, and boxing where the official moves with the play.
The referee blew the whistle.
Loanword for 'umpire', used mainly in baseball and tennis.
The baseball umpire called a strike.
A person who vouches for someone's character or qualifications, e.g., for a job application.
A person who recommends someone, often used in academic or job contexts.
Please write the name of your referee on the application form.
Literally 'inquiry destination', used in formal contexts like job references.
Loanword used in international or academic settings.
A person who settles disputes or makes judgments outside of sports.
審判 is the safest, most general term for any sports official. レフェリー is used for sports where the official is on the field/court (soccer, basketball, boxing). アンパイア is mainly for baseball and tennis. In casual conversation, 審判 covers all.
Do not use 審判 for a job reference. Use 推薦者 or 照会先. 審判 only means referee in sports or judgment contexts.
I listed my former boss as a referee.
リファレンスとして教授の名前を出してもいいですか。
May I give your name as a referee?