审判

• Pinyin: shěn pàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 审 = 宀+ 番 (examine); 判 = 刀 + 半 (cut, decide)

Meaning

To try; to put on trial; a trial or judgement in a court of law.

The formal legal process by which a court examines evidence and renders a verdict. In extended usage it can describe any solemn or weighty moral judgement, such as the 'judgement of history.' 接受审判 (stand trial) and 公开审判 (open trial) are common collocations.

Examples

1. 被告将于下月在最高人民法院接受审判。 The defendant will stand trial in the Supreme People’s Court next month.
2. 历史将对那些破坏和平的战争罪犯做出公正的审判。 History will deliver a fair judgment on those war criminals who undermine peace.
3. 这场公开审判吸引了国内外众多媒体的广泛关注。 This public trial drew widespread attention from many media outlets at home and abroad.

Usage Guide

Context: law, history, politics

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 国际刑事法院对涉嫌犯有反人类罪的相关人员展开了正式审判程序。(The International Criminal Court has initiated formal trial proceedings against individuals suspected of crimes against humanity.)
• 这位企业家拒绝认罪，坚持要求法院进行公开审判以维护自身清白。(The entrepreneur refused to plead guilty and insisted the court conduct an open trial to prove his innocence.)

Don't Say

• 审判 for informal criticism or personal condemnation — it carries the weight of formal legal process; use 批评 or 指责 for everyday criticism

Origin & History

审 (examine) + 判 (judge, decide)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal