====== pànjué: 判决 - Judgment, Verdict, Sentence ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 判决, panjue, Chinese court verdict, Chinese legal judgment, Chinese sentence, 法院判决, 判决书, legal Chinese, meaning of panjue, how to use 判决, Chinese law terms
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of **判决 (pànjué)**, a core term in the Chinese legal system. This page explains what **判决** is—a court's formal judgment, verdict, or sentence—and how it differs from a simple "decision." Discover its cultural weight, see practical example sentences, and understand how to use this important HSK 6 word correctly when discussing legal matters in Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** pànjué
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun, Verb
  * **HSK Level:** 6
  * **Concise Definition:** A court of law's formal judgment, verdict, or sentence.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **判决 (pànjué)** is the official, final decision handed down by a judge or court at the end of a legal trial. It's a heavy, formal word that signifies the conclusion of a legal dispute and carries the full authority of the state. Think of a judge striking a gavel and announcing the outcome of a case—that's a **判决**. It's not a word you use for everyday choices, but one reserved for the serious business of the justice system.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **判 (pàn):** This character is composed of 半 (bàn), meaning "half," and the radical for knife (刂). The original imagery is of using a knife to split something in two, which extends to the meaning of "to distinguish," "to discern," or "to judge" between two sides (e.g., right and wrong).
  * **决 (jué):** This character means "to decide" or "to determine." The water radical (氵) on the left hints at its original meaning, which related to a bursting dike—a decisive, powerful, and irreversible event.
  * Together, **判 (to judge) + 决 (to decide)** creates **判决 (pànjué)**, a "decisive judgment." The combination powerfully conveys the finality and authority of a court's ruling.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In China, the legal system is seen as a direct extension of state authority. Therefore, a **判决 (pànjué)** is not just a resolution between two parties; it is a declaration from the state itself. It carries immense weight and is generally expected to be respected as the final word on a matter.
A useful comparison for Western learners is the difference in the role of a jury. In the American legal system, a "verdict" is often delivered by a jury of one's peers, reflecting a community-based judgment. In China, the **判决** is issued by a professional judge or a panel of judges, who represent the official legal apparatus of the country. This makes the concept of **判决** feel more top-down and authoritative.
Furthermore, traditional Chinese culture often prioritizes harmony and mediation (调解 - tiáojiě) over direct confrontation. Taking a dispute to court is often seen as a last resort, a sign that relationships have completely broken down. Therefore, to reach the stage of a **判决** means the situation is extremely serious and a formal, binding resolution is unavoidable.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**判决 (pànjué)** is used almost exclusively in formal, legal contexts.
  * **In the News and Legal Documents:** You will constantly see this word in news reports about court cases, legal analyses, and especially in the official document itself, the **判决书 (pànjué shū)**, or "written judgment."
  * **As a Noun or Verb:** It can function as a noun ("the verdict") or a verb ("to rule" or "to sentence").
      * Noun: 我们在等法院的**判决**。 (Wǒmen zài děng fǎyuàn de pànjué.) - We are waiting for the court's judgment.
      * Verb: 法官**判决**他有罪。 (Fǎguān pànjué tā yǒuzuì.) - The judge ruled him guilty.
  * **Formality:** This term is highly formal. Using it for a non-legal decision would sound overly dramatic or even comical. For deciding what to eat, you would use **决定 (juédìng)**.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 法院下达了最终**判决**。
    * Pinyin: Fǎyuàn xiàdá le zuìzhōng **pànjué**.
    * English: The court issued the final judgment.
    * Analysis: A very standard and common sentence you might read in the news. `下达 (xiàdá)` means "to issue" or "to release" a command or decision from a higher authority.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 法官**判决**被告有罪。
    * Pinyin: Fǎguān **pànjué** bèigào yǒuzuì.
    * English: The judge ruled the defendant guilty.
    * Analysis: Here, **判决** is used as a verb meaning "to rule" or "to find (guilty/not guilty)."
  * **Example 3:**
    * 他因盗窃罪被**判决**有期徒刑五年。
    * Pinyin: Tā yīn dàoqiè zuì bèi **pànjué** yǒuqī túxíng wǔ nián.
    * English: He was sentenced to five years in prison for theft.
    * Analysis: This shows **判决** being used specifically for sentencing. The `被 (bèi)` structure is common when describing the recipient of a sentence.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 他对一审**判决**不服，决定上诉。
    * Pinyin: Tā duì yīshěn **pànjué** bùfú, juédìng shàngsù.
    * English: He was not satisfied with the first-instance verdict and decided to appeal.
    * Analysis: This introduces related legal concepts. `一审 (yīshěn)` is the first trial, and `上诉 (shàngsù)` is to appeal. `不服 (bùfú)` means to not accept or be convinced by something.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这起案件的**判决**结果引起了社会广泛关注。
    * Pinyin: Zhè qǐ ànjiàn de **pànjué** jiéguǒ yǐnqǐle shèhuì guǎngfàn guānzhù.
    * English: The outcome of the verdict in this case has attracted widespread public attention.
    * Analysis: This sentence demonstrates how **判决** is often discussed in a broader societal context.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 双方都接受了法院的**判决**。
    * Pinyin: Shuāngfāng dōu jiēshòu le fǎyuàn de **pànjué**.
    * English: Both parties accepted the court's judgment.
    * Analysis: `双方 (shuāngfāng)` means "both sides" or "both parties," referring to the plaintiff and defendant.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 你可以在网上找到这份**判决**书的全文。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ zài wǎngshàng zhǎodào zhè fèn **pànjué** shū de quánwén.
    * English: You can find the full text of this written judgment online.
    * Analysis: Highlights the related term **判决书 (pànjué shū)**, the official written document detailing the verdict.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 法院**判决**该公司向消费者道歉并赔偿损失。
    * Pinyin: Fǎyuàn **pànjué** gāi gōngsī xiàng xiāofèizhě dàoqiàn bìng péicháng sǔnshī.
    * English: The court ordered the company to apologize to the consumers and compensate for the losses.
    * Analysis: Shows **判决** used as a verb for ordering specific actions in a civil case, not just determining guilt.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 证据不足，法院无法做出**判决**。
    * Pinyin: Zhèngjù bùzú, fǎyuàn wúfǎ zuòchū **pànjué**.
    * English: Due to insufficient evidence, the court cannot make a judgment.
    * Analysis: This sentence shows a situation where a verdict cannot be reached. `做出判决 (zuòchū pànjué)` is a common collocation for "to make a judgment."
  * **Example 10:**
    * 维持原**判决**是二审法院的最终决定。
    * Pinyin: Wéichí yuán **pànjué** shì èrshěn fǎyuàn de zuìzhōng juédìng.
    * English: Upholding the original verdict was the final decision of the appellate court.
    * Analysis: A more advanced sentence. `维持原判 (wéichí yuán pàn)` is a set phrase meaning "to uphold the original verdict." `二审 (èrshěn)` is the second trial or appeal.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **判决 (pànjué) vs. 决定 (juédìng):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. **决定 (juédìng)** means "to decide" or "a decision" in a general sense. **判决** is strictly a legal judgment.
    * Correct: 我**决定**今天晚上吃米饭。(Wǒ juédìng jīntiān wǎnshàng chī mǐfàn.) - I decided to eat rice tonight.
    * **Incorrect:** 我**判决**今天晚上吃米饭。(Wǒ pànjué jīntiān wǎnshàng chī mǐfàn.) - This is wrong and sounds absurd, like you are a judge sentencing yourself to eat rice.
  * **判决 (pànjué) vs. 审判 (shěnpàn):** Don't confuse the result with the process.
    * **审判 (shěnpàn)** is the trial itself—the entire process of hearing evidence and arguments in court.
    * **判决 (pànjué)** is the *outcome* or *result* of the trial.
    * Analogy: The **审判 (trial)** is the whole movie; the **判决 (verdict)** is the ending.
  * **Not for Personal "Judgment":** In English, you can say "In my judgment, he is not trustworthy." You cannot use **判决** this way. For a personal opinion or judgment, you would use words like **看法 (kànfǎ - point of view)**, **意见 (yìjiàn - opinion)**, or the verb **认为 (rènwéi - to think/believe)**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[法院]] (fǎyuàn)` - Court. The institution that issues a **判决**.
  * `[[法官]] (fǎguān)` - Judge. The person who makes the **判决**.
  * `[[审判]] (shěnpàn)` - Trial. The legal process that leads to a **判决**.
  * `[[判决书]] (pànjué shū)` - Written Judgment. The official document containing the **判决**.
  * `[[上诉]] (shàngsù)` - To Appeal. The legal action taken when one disagrees with a **判决**.
  * `[[被告]] (bèigào)` - Defendant. The party against whom a **判决** is sought.
  * `[[原告]] (yuángào)` - Plaintiff. The party who initiates a lawsuit seeking a favorable **判决**.
  * `[[定罪]] (dìngzuì)` - To Convict / Conviction. A specific type of **判决** where guilt is formally established in a criminal case.
  * `[[裁定]] (cáidìng)` - Ruling. A court's decision on a procedural matter during a trial, as opposed to the final **判决** on the merits of the case.
  * `[[律师]] (lǜshī)` - Lawyer. The professional who argues on behalf of a client to achieve a certain **判决**.