判定

• Pinyin: pàn dìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 判 = 半 + 刀 (divide, judge); 定 = 宀 + 疋 (settle, determine firmly)

Meaning

Determine; to make an authoritative decision or ruling based on examination of evidence or established criteria.

Used in legal, academic, sports, and technical contexts. Implies a formal process of evaluation leading to a definitive conclusion by a recognised authority or expert body.

Examples

1. 经过鉴定，专家判定该文物为赝品。 After authentication, experts determined that the artifact was a forgery.
2. 裁判判定选手犯规，取消其参赛成绩。 The referee ruled that the athlete committed a foul and disqualified the result.
3. 法院最终判定双方责任各半。 In the end, the court determined that both sides were equally responsible.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, sports, academic, technical

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 权威机构判定该产品不符合国家安全标准。(The authoritative body determined that the product does not meet national safety standards.)
• 经深入调查，委员会判定此次事故系人为操作失误所致。(After thorough investigation, the committee determined that the accident was caused by human operational error.)

Don't Say

• 我判定他是个好人 — use 认为 or 觉得 for personal opinions; 判定 implies formal authority or objective criteria

Origin & History

判 (judge, distinguish) + 定 (determine, settle conclusively)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal