juzgar
“juzgar” means “to judge” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to judge
Also: to criticize, to assess
📝 In Action
No debes juzgar un libro por su portada.
A2You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
¿Quién eres tú para juzgar mi decisión?
B1Who are you to judge my decision?
Ella juzga a los demás con mucha dureza.
B1She judges others very harshly.
to judge
Also: to try, to pass sentence
📝 In Action
El tribunal juzgará el caso la próxima semana.
B1The court will judge the case next week.
El juez juzgó al acusado inocente.
B2The judge judged the defendant innocent. (or: The judge found the defendant innocent.)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: juzgar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'juzgar' in its common, non-legal sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Late Latin word *iudicāre*, which means 'to decide' or 'to pass judgment.' It shares roots with the English word 'judicial'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'juzgar' always mean to criticize negatively?
Not always. While it often implies criticism (like in English: 'Don't judge me!'), it can also mean simply 'to evaluate' or 'to form an opinion,' which can be neutral or positive, especially in formal contexts.
How is 'juzgar' different from 'opinar'?
'Opinar' simply means 'to give an opinion.' 'Juzgar' is stronger; it means to evaluate that opinion and often implies delivering a final verdict or assessment, which is why it works for both legal and moral judgments.