juicio
/ˈxwiθjo/
The English phrase 'court trial' is translated into Spanish as juicio.
juicio is used to describe the formal legal process where a judge or jury determines guilt or liability. Beyond the legal system, juicio can also refer to a person's 'judgment' or 'discernment' in a general, non-legal context.
Which one should you use?
While juicio refers to the actual trial process, el tribunal is used to refer to the court itself or the body of people presiding over the trial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of juicio is juicios.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈxwiθjo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a person might say perder el juicio to mean 'to go mad' or 'to lose one's mind', rather than losing a legal case.
- A person described as juicioso is not someone involved in a 'court trial', but rather someone who is sensible, prudent and mature.
- While juicio refers to the trial, the Spanish legal system is primarily based on Civil Law, meaning judges play a much more active role in investigating the truth than in English Common Law.
Examples in context
- El juicio en el tribunal está programado para la próxima semana.The court trial is scheduled for next week.
- Estoy preocupado por mi causa en el juzgado.I am worried about my court trial.
- El acusado está en juicio.The accused is on trial.
- El juicio duró tres días.The trial lasted three days.
- Mañana empieza el juicio.The trial starts tomorrow.
- Ella ganó el juicio.She won the trial.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a news story in a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Viste las noticias sobre el juicio?Did you see the news about the trial?
- LucíaNo, ¿qué pasó con el hombre?No, what happened with the man?
- AlejandroEl juez terminó el juicio hoy.The judge finished the trial today.
- LucíaEspero que se haga justicia.I hope justice is served.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry juicio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
