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.
The umpire blew the whistle.
A more formal term for an umpire or referee, often used in official contexts.
The player protested the umpire's decision.
To refer specifically to an umpire in baseball.
To refer to an umpire in tennis.
To refer to an umpire in cricket.
The standard term in cricket as well.
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.
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.
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.
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.