How to Say "Judgement" in Japanese

判断

handan

The English phrase 'judgement' is translated into Japanese as 判断 (handan).

判断 refers to the process of forming an opinion or making a decision after thinking about the facts.

Which one should you use?

Use 判断 for general decision-making or forming an opinion.

handan

In Japanese corporate culture, a 'judgement' is often not made by one person but through 根回し (nemawashi), the process of quietly building consensus before the formal 判断 is announced.
The kanji 断 in 判断 originally referred to cutting or severing, reflecting the idea that making a decision means 'cutting off' other possibilities.
When you want to say someone has 'poor judgment' in a social sense, you might use the word 分別 (bunbetsū), which implies a lack of common sense or distinguishing right from wrong.

彼は判断力に欠けている。
He lacks judgement.
This sentence uses the form 判断.
Tatoeba #101229 by bunbuku, translation #302467 by CK
この件はあなたの判断に任せます。
I leave the matter to your judgement.
Tatoeba #222144 by KK_kaku_, translation #59468 by CK
靖国神社参拝に関しては閣僚の自主的な判断に任せられている。
The question of worshipping at the Yasukuni Shrine is left to the independent judgement of Cabinet ministers.
Tatoeba #75686 by bunbuku, translation #328032 by papabear
彼の判断は賢明だ。
His judgement is wise.
その事件についての判断を下す必要があります。
We need to make a judgement about that incident.
この映画の評価はかなり良いですよ。
The evaluation of this movie is quite good.
彼には厳しい判決が下されました。
A strict judgement was given to him.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two colleagues are discussing a difficult business situation at the office.

陽太 Yota

今の状況では、迅速な判断が必要です。
Ima no joukyou de wa, jinsoku na handan ga hitsuyou desu.
In the current situation, a quick judgement is necessary.
美咲 Misaki

はい、慎重に判断しなければなりませんね。
Hai, shinchou ni handan shinakereba narimasen ne.
Yes, we must make a judgement carefully.
陽太 Yota

美咲さんの判断を信じています。
Misaki-san no handan o shinjite imasu.
I trust your judgement, Misaki.
美咲 Misaki

ありがとうございます。全力で取り組みます。
Arigatou gozaimasu. Zenryoku de torikumimasu.
Thank you. I will do my best.

Sources

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