shěnpàn: 审判 - Trial, Judgment

• Keywords: 审判, shěnpàn, Chinese for trial, Chinese legal system, judgment in Chinese, court trial, sentence, verdict, examine and judge, HSK 6 vocabulary, 审, 判.
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 审判 (shěnpàn), meaning “trial” or “judgment.” This page breaks down the characters 审 (to examine) and 判 (to judge), explaining how they form this formal legal term. Discover its use in the Chinese judicial system, its powerful metaphorical meaning in phrases like “the judgment of history,” and how it differs from everyday words like “opinion” or “assessment.” Includes 10 example sentences for practical use.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shěn pàn
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To hold a trial; a legal trial or judgment.
• In a Nutshell: 审判 (shěnpàn) is a serious and formal word used almost exclusively for legal proceedings in a court of law. It can refer to the entire process of a trial (as a noun) or the act of conducting that trial (as a verb). Think of the judge in a black robe, the solemn atmosphere of a courtroom, and the process of weighing evidence to reach a verdict—that entire scene is captured by 审判.

• 审 (shěn): This character means “to examine,” “to investigate,” or “to review carefully.” It's composed of the roof radical (宀), suggesting a building or official place, and 番 (fān), which contributes the sound. The image is of a careful, thorough examination happening inside an official building, like a courthouse or government office.
• 判 (pàn): This character means “to judge,” “to decide,” or “to sentence.” It's made of 半 (bàn, “half”) on the left and a knife radical (刂) on the right. This powerfully suggests “dividing” or “cutting” something in two—like separating right from wrong, guilt from innocence, or truth from falsehood with a decisive judgment.
• The two characters combine perfectly: 审 (shěn) is the process of examining the evidence, and 判 (pàn) is the act of making a final, decisive judgment based on that examination. Together, 审判 (shěnpàn) covers the entire legal process from examination to verdict.

审判 (shěnpàn) reflects key aspects of the Chinese legal and social framework. Unlike the American ideal of a trial by a jury of one's peers (an adversarial system), the Chinese legal system is primarily an inquisitorial system. This means the judge or a panel of judges plays a much more active role in investigating the facts of the case, questioning witnesses, and seeking the truth. The word 审判 thus carries a strong sense of authoritative investigation and state-led judgment, rather than a contest between two opposing lawyers refereed by a neutral party. Metaphorically, 审判 is used in a very grave and powerful way. The phrase 历史的审判 (lìshǐ de shěnpàn)—“the judgment of history”—is a profound concept. It implies that even if individuals or regimes escape legal justice in their time, their actions will ultimately be evaluated and judged by future generations. This reflects a deep-seated cultural belief in an ultimate, inescapable moral reckoning, even if it isn't religious in nature. It's a final, impartial verdict delivered by the passage of time itself.

审判 is a formal term you'll encounter in specific, serious contexts.

• In the News and Legal Documents: This is its most common usage. News reports about criminal cases, civil disputes, or political corruption will always use 审判 to refer to the court trial. You will see it in headlines, legal articles, and official announcements.
• In Historical and Political Discourse: As mentioned above, it's used metaphorically to talk about historical or moral judgment. It lends a sense of gravity and finality to the discussion.
• Formal Connotation: 审判 is always formal and serious. You would never use it for casual situations. For example, you wouldn't say you are “judging” (审判) someone's new haircut or “holding a trial” for who ate the last cookie. Doing so would sound bizarrely and inappropriately dramatic.

• Example 1:
  • 这起案件的审判将在一周后进行。
  • Pinyin: Zhè qǐ ànjiàn de shěnpàn jiāng zài yī zhōu hòu jìnxíng.
  • English: The trial for this case will be held in a week.
  • Analysis: A standard, neutral sentence you might hear on the news. Here, 审判 is a noun meaning “the trial.”
• Example 2:
  • 法官正在审判一名被指控盗窃的嫌疑人。
  • Pinyin: Fǎguān zhèngzài shěnpàn yī míng bèi zhǐkòng dàoqiè de xiányírén.
  • English: The judge is trying a suspect accused of theft.
  • Analysis: Here, 审判 is used as a verb, “to try” or “to be on trial.” The structure is `[Judge] is trying [Defendant]`.
• Example 3:
  • 他因贪污罪接受了公开审判。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīn tānwū zuì jiēshòu le gōngkāi shěnpàn.
  • English: He received a public trial for the crime of corruption.
  • Analysis: `接受审判 (jiēshòu shěnpàn)` is a common collocation meaning “to face/receive a trial.”
• Example 4:
  • 每个人都有权获得公正的审判。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge rén dōu yǒu quán huòdé gōngzhèng de shěnpàn.
  • English: Everyone has the right to a fair trial.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 审判 in the context of legal rights. `公正的 (gōngzhèng de)` means “fair” or “just.”
• Example 5:
  • 历史终将对这些事件做出最后的审判。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ zhōngjiāng duì zhèxiē shìjiàn zuòchū zuìhòu de shěnpàn.
  • English: History will eventually make its final judgment on these events.
  • Analysis: The classic metaphorical use of 审判. It implies a serious, ultimate moral evaluation, not a legal one.
• Example 6:
  • 审判结果，被告被判无罪。
  • Pinyin: Shěnpàn jiéguǒ, bèigào bèi pàn wúzuì.
  • English: As a result of the trial, the defendant was found not guilty.
  • Analysis: `审判结果 (shěnpàn jiéguǒ)` literally means “trial result,” which is equivalent to “verdict.”
• Example 7:
  • 这场审判吸引了全国媒体的关注。
  • Pinyin: Zhè chǎng shěnpàn xīyǐn le quánguó méitǐ de guānzhù.
  • English: This trial attracted the attention of the national media.
  • Analysis: `场 (chǎng)` is a measure word for events like performances, games, and trials.
• Example 8:
  • 在审判期间，他一直保持沉默。
  • Pinyin: Zài shěnpàn qījiān, tā yīzhí bǎochí chénmò.
  • English: During the trial period, he remained silent.
  • Analysis: `审判期间 (shěnpàn qījiān)` is a useful phrase meaning “during the trial.”
• Example 9:
  • 任何人都不能逃脱法律的审判。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé rén dōu bùnéng táotuō fǎlǜ de shěnpàn.
  • English: No one can escape the judgment of the law.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes the authority and reach of the legal system. `法律的审判 (fǎlǜ de shěnpàn)` means “the law's judgment.”
• Example 10:
  • 他因为害怕审判而选择了逃跑。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi hàipà shěnpàn ér xuǎnzé le táopǎo.
  • English: He chose to flee because he was afraid of the trial.
  • Analysis: Shows the psychological weight associated with the word 审判. It's an intimidating and serious event.

• 审判 (shěnpàn) vs. 判断 (pànduàn): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 审判 (shěnpàn) is a formal, legal trial. It happens in a courtroom.
  • 判断 (pànduàn) is the general mental act of “judging” or “making a judgment” about anything.
  • Correct: 根据我的判断，这个计划行不通。(Gēnjù wǒ de pànduàn, zhège jìhuà xíng bùtōng.) - “In my judgment, this plan won't work.”
  • Incorrect: ~~根据我的审判，这个计划行不通。~~ (This would mean “According to my court trial, this plan won't work,” which is nonsense.)
• 审判 (shěnpàn) vs. 批评 (pīpíng): Do not confuse the “judgment” of a trial with “being judgmental” or “criticizing.”
  • 审判 (shěnpàn) is an official verdict.
  • 批评 (pīpíng) is to criticize someone or something.
  • Correct: 老师批评了我的作业。(Lǎoshī pīpíng le wǒ de zuòyè.) - “The teacher criticized my homework.”
  • Incorrect: ~~老师审判了我的作业。~~ (This sounds like your homework was put on trial for crimes against humanity!)

• 法院 (fǎyuàn) - Courthouse; court of law. The place where a 审判 happens.
• 法官 (fǎguān) - Judge. The person who presides over a 审判.
• 判决 (pànjué) - Verdict; judgment; sentence. The result or decision that comes at the end of a 审判.
• 审讯 (shěnxùn) - Interrogation. The process of questioning a suspect, often before the formal 审判 begins.
• 被告 (bèigào) - The defendant. The person who is undergoing the 审判.
• 原告 (yuángào) - The plaintiff; accuser. The person who brings the lawsuit against the defendant.
• 律师 (lǜshī) - Lawyer. A legal professional involved in the 审判.
• 裁决 (cáijué) - Ruling; adjudication. Similar to 判决, but often used for arbitration or sports refereeing, not just court cases.
• 定罪 (dìngzuì) - To convict; conviction. The act of formally finding someone guilty of a crime during a 审判.