審判

• Reading: しんぱん
• Romaji: shinpan
• Kanji breakdown: 審 (shin) — to examine, investigate; 判 (pan/ban) — to judge, decide
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.paɴ/

Meaning

Umpire; referee; judgment. A person who officiates a game, or the act of judging.

Has two main uses: as a noun for the referee or umpire in sports, and as a suru-verb (審判する) meaning to judge or make a ruling. In sports contexts, the noun usage is far more common. Takes を when used as a transitive verb for judging.

Examples

1. 審判の判定に選手たちが抗議した。 The players protested the referee's call.
2. サッカーの試合で審判を務めるのは大変だ。 Serving as a referee in a soccer match is tough.
3. 最終的な審判は裁判所が下す。 The final judgment will be handed down by the court.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, legal, competitions

Tone: authoritative

Origin & History

Compound of 審 (shin, to examine/investigate) and 判 (pan, to judge/decide). Together they mean to examine carefully and render a judgment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal