fǎguān: 法官 - Judge

• Keywords: fǎguān, faguan, 法官, judge in Chinese, Chinese judge, Chinese law, Chinese court, legal system in China, judiciary in China, courtroom Chinese
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 法官 (fǎguān), which means “judge.” This page provides a complete guide for English speakers, covering its meaning, character origins, cultural significance in the Chinese legal system, and practical usage. With 10 example sentences and a breakdown of common mistakes, you'll understand how to use 法官 correctly in conversations about law, society, and justice in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fǎguān
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A judge; a judicial officer who presides over legal proceedings in a court of law.
• In a Nutshell: 法官 (fǎguān) is the standard, formal term for a judge in the Chinese legal system. It's a professional title that carries authority, impartiality, and responsibility. Think of it exactly as you would think of the word “judge” in English when referring to the person who sits in a courtroom and makes legal rulings.

• 法 (fǎ): This character means “law,” “method,” or “standard.” The left side (氵) is the “water” radical, which historically symbolized a level, fair standard. The right side (去, qù) means “to go.” One way to remember it is as the “going away” of unfairness through the establishment of a level (like water) standard of law.
• 官 (guān): This character means “official” or “government officer.” The top radical (宀) represents a “roof” or building, suggesting someone who works within an official government structure.

When combined, 法 (law) + 官 (official) creates the very logical term 法官 (fǎguān), meaning “law official”—a perfect description for a judge.

In modern China, a 法官 (fǎguān) is a professional civil servant who has passed rigorous exams and works within the state's judiciary. Their role is to interpret and apply the law, preside over trials, and issue judgments. However, the cultural image of a judge in China is deeply influenced by historical figures like 包公 (Bāo Gōng), or “Judge Bao,” a Song Dynasty official celebrated in folklore for his absolute impartiality and relentless pursuit of justice for the common people, often against corrupt and powerful officials. This has created a cultural ideal of a judge as not just an impartial referee (a more Western concept) but as an active, inquisitorial figure responsible for uncovering the truth and restoring social harmony. While the Western legal system is typically adversarial (two opposing sides argue before a neutral judge), the Chinese system has inquisitorial roots. This means the 法官 (fǎguān) may play a more active role in questioning witnesses and investigating facts. Furthermore, judges in China are often encouraged to facilitate mediation (调解, tiáojiě) to resolve disputes, reflecting the Confucian value of maintaining social harmony over confrontational verdicts.

法官 (fǎguān) is a formal and respectful term used in legal contexts, news reports, and serious discussions.

• In the Courtroom: You would address a judge directly as “法官” (Fǎguān) or by their surname, such as “王法官” (Wáng Fǎguān - Judge Wang).
• In Conversation: When talking about the legal system, you would use 法官 to refer to the profession. For example, “My cousin wants to be a judge” (我表哥想当一名法官).
• Connotation: The term is neutral to positive, carrying a sense of professionalism, authority, and respect. It is not an informal or casual word.

• Example 1:
  • 这位法官以公正无私而闻名。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi fǎguān yǐ gōngzhèng wúsī ér wénmíng.
  • English: This judge is famous for being fair and impartial.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 法官 as a subject and describes a key quality expected of one. “位” (wèi) is a polite measure word for people.
• Example 2:
  • 法官宣布休庭三十分钟。
  • Pinyin: Fǎguān xuānbù xiū tíng sānshí fēnzhōng.
  • English: The judge announced a thirty-minute recess.
  • Analysis: A very practical sentence you might hear in a legal drama or news report about a trial.
• Example 3:
  • 他毕业于法学院，梦想是成为一名法官。
  • Pinyin: Tā bìyè yú fǎxuéyuàn, mèngxiǎng shì chéngwéi yī míng fǎguān.
  • English: He graduated from law school, and his dream is to become a judge.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 法官 as a career aspiration. “一名” (yī míng) is a common way to say “a” or “one” when referring to a person's profession.
• Example 4:
  • 在法庭上，你必须尊重法官的决定。
  • Pinyin: Zài fǎtíng shàng, nǐ bìxū zūnzhòng fǎguān de juédìng.
  • English: In the courtroom, you must respect the judge's decision.
  • Analysis: This highlights the authority of a 法官.
• Example 5:
  • 双方律师都在等待法官的最终判决。
  • Pinyin: Shuāngfāng lǜshī dōu zài děngdài fǎguān de zuìzhōng pànjué.
  • English: The lawyers for both sides are waiting for the judge's final verdict.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the relationship between the judge (法官), lawyers (律师), and the verdict (判决).
• Example 6:
  • 最高人民法院的法官审查了此案。
  • Pinyin: Zuìgāo Rénmín Fǎyuàn de fǎguān shěnchá le cǐ àn.
  • English: The judge(s) of the Supreme People's Court reviewed this case.
  • Analysis: This example shows how to refer to a judge from a specific, high-level court.
• Example 7:
  • 作为一名法官，责任非常重大。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng fǎguān, zérèn fēicháng zhòngdà.
  • English: As a judge, the responsibility is immense.
  • Analysis: “作为” (zuòwéi) means “as” or “in the capacity of,” a useful structure for talking about roles.
• Example 8:
  • 原告对法官的判决表示不服，决定上诉。
  • Pinyin: Yuángào duì fǎguān de pànjué biǎoshì bùfú, juédìng shàngsù.
  • English: The plaintiff expressed dissatisfaction with the judge's verdict and decided to appeal.
  • Analysis: A more complex legal sentence showing the interaction between different parties in a legal process.
• Example 9:
  • 那位法官需要更多证据才能做出判断。
  • Pinyin: Nà wèi fǎguān xūyào gèng duō zhèngjù cáinéng zuòchū pànduàn.
  • English: That judge needs more evidence to be able to make a judgment.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the evidence-based nature of a judge's work.
• Example 10:
  • 请问，主审法官是哪位？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhǔshěn fǎguān shì nǎ wèi?
  • English: Excuse me, who is the presiding judge?
  • Analysis: A practical question one might ask in a courthouse. “主审” (zhǔshěn) means “presiding.”

• 法官 vs. 律师 (lǜshī): A very common mistake for beginners is to confuse a judge (法官) with a lawyer (律师, lǜshī). They are distinct roles in the legal system. A 法官 is the state-appointed official who decides the case, while a 律师 is the legal professional who represents a client.
  • Incorrect: 我的法官建议我接受和解。(Wǒ de fǎguān jiànyì wǒ jiēshòu héjiě.) - My judge advised me to accept the settlement. (Judges don't give advice to one side.)
  • Correct: 我的律师建议我接受和解。(Wǒ de lǜshī jiànyì wǒ jiēshòu héjiě.) - My lawyer advised me to accept the settlement.
• 法官 vs. 裁判 (cáipàn): This is a classic “false friend.” In English, a “referee” can be said to “judge” a game. In Chinese, 裁判 (cáipàn) specifically means a referee or umpire in sports or competitions. It is never used for a judge in a court of law.
  • Incorrect: 法庭上的裁判非常严格。(Fǎtíng shàng de cáipàn fēicháng yángé.) - The referee in the courtroom was very strict.
  • Correct: 足球比赛的裁判非常严格。(Zúqiú bǐsài de cáipàn fēicháng yángé.) - The soccer game's referee was very strict.
  • Correct: 法庭上的法官非常严格。(Fǎtíng shàng de fǎguān fēicháng yángé.) - The judge in the courtroom was very strict.

• 法院 (fǎyuàn) - Courthouse; “law institution.” This is where a 法官 works.
• 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. This is the system of rules that a 法官 interprets and applies.
• 律师 (lǜshī) - Lawyer. A legal professional who argues cases before a 法官.
• 法庭 (fǎtíng) - Courtroom; “law hall.” The specific room where a trial is held, presided over by a 法官.
• 判决 (pànjué) - Verdict, judgment. The official decision made by a 法官.
• 审判 (shěnpàn) - Trial; to adjudicate. The process that a 法官 presides over.
• 原告 (yuángào) - Plaintiff; the person who initiates a lawsuit.
• 被告 (bèigào) - Defendant; the person being sued or accused.
• 裁判 (cáipàn) - Referee, umpire. An important distinction; used for sports, not law.
• 包公 (Bāo Gōng) - Judge Bao. The historical/legendary figure who represents the ideal 法官 in Chinese culture.