Translation guide
The English word 'umpire' refers to an official who enforces rules in sports. In Japanese, the term varies by sport, and the general word 審判 is most common.
To refer to an official who enforces rules in any sport or game.
The most common and general term for an umpire, referee, or judge in sports. Can be used for almost any sport.
審判が笛を吹いた。
The umpire blew the whistle.
A more formal term for an umpire or referee, often used in official contexts.
審判員の判定に選手が抗議した。
The player protested the umpire's decision.
To refer specifically to an umpire in baseball.
The loanword from English, commonly used in baseball contexts.
アンパイアがストライクを宣告した。
The umpire called a strike.
Specifically the home plate umpire in baseball.
A base umpire in baseball.
To refer to an umpire in tennis.
Also used in tennis, especially for the chair umpire.
アンパイアが判定を覆した。
The umpire overruled the call.
The chair umpire or head official in tennis.
To refer to an umpire in cricket.
The standard term in cricket as well.
クリケットのアンパイアは白い帽子をかぶっている。
The cricket umpire wears a white hat.
To refer to the referee in sumo wrestling.
The traditional referee in sumo, who wears elaborate costume and uses a fan.
行司が軍配を上げた。
The sumo referee raised his fan.
To refer to a referee in martial arts like judo or karate.
Used for referees in judo, karate, and other martial arts.
柔道の審判は「始め」と言った。
The judo referee said 'Hajime' (begin).
To clarify that 'umpire' is not used for soccer; use 'referee' instead.
In soccer, the official is called a referee, not an umpire. 審判 covers both.
サッカーの審判はレッドカードを出した。
The soccer referee showed a red card.
審判 is the general term for any sports official, while アンパイア is a loanword used specifically in baseball, tennis, and cricket. In everyday conversation, 審判 is more common and understood across all sports.
When speaking Japanese, it's safest to use 審判 unless you are talking about baseball or tennis, where アンパイア is also natural. For sumo, always use 行司.
球審はマスクを外した。
The home plate umpire took off his mask.
塁審がセーフの判定を下した。
The base umpire made a safe call.
The chair umpire made the call.