Inklingo

How to Say "judgment" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forjudgmentis juiciouse this when referring to a personal opinion, conclusion, or assessment of a situation or person..

juicio🔊B1

Use this when referring to a personal opinion, conclusion, or assessment of a situation or person.

{ui.learnMore}
opiniónA2

This is the most common translation for expressing a personal viewpoint or belief.

{ui.learnMore}
sentido🔊B2

Use this specifically when referring to 'common sense' or practical judgment.

{ui.learnMore}
fallo🔊B2

This refers to an official decision or ruling made by a judge or court.

{ui.learnMore}
sentencia🔊B1

Use this for the final judgment or sentence handed down by a court, especially in a legal case.

{ui.learnMore}
veredicto🔊B1

This specifically means the finding or decision reached by a jury on the facts of a case.

{ui.learnMore}
ojos🔊B1

This translation is used in specific idiomatic expressions, like 'in the eyes of the law' (a los ojos de la ley).

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

juicio

/HWEE-see-oh//ˈxwi.sjo/

NounB1General
Use this when referring to a personal opinion, conclusion, or assessment of a situation or person.
A simple balance scale with two pans. One pan is lowered significantly, showing a conclusion has been reached.

Examples

A mi juicio, deberíamos esperar antes de tomar una decisión.

In my judgment, we should wait before making a decision.

A mi juicio, esta es la mejor solución.

In my judgment, this is the best solution.

No emitas un juicio sin conocer todos los hechos.

Don't pass judgment without knowing all the facts.

Su juicio sobre la situación fue muy acertado.

His assessment of the situation was very accurate.

The Phrase 'a mi juicio'

Think of 'a mi juicio' as a slightly more formal or thoughtful way to say 'en mi opinión' (in my opinion). It's a great set phrase to make your Spanish sound more advanced.

opinión

NounA2General
This is the most common translation for expressing a personal viewpoint or belief.

Examples

En mi opinión, el libro es mejor que la película.

In my opinion, the book is better than the movie.

sentido

/sen-TEE-doh//senˈti.ðo/

NounB2General
Use this specifically when referring to 'common sense' or practical judgment.
A cartoon character wisely wearing a heavy coat and hat while walking in the snow, illustrating common sense.

Examples

Actúa con sentido común en esta situación.

Act with common sense in this situation.

Por favor, usa el sentido común.

Please, use common sense.

Tiene un gran sentido del humor.

He has a great sense of humor.

El boxeador perdió el sentido tras el golpe.

The boxer lost consciousness after the punch.

fallo

/fá-yo//ˈfa.ʎo/

nounB2Formal
This refers to an official decision or ruling made by a judge or court.
A serious judge wearing a black robe seated behind a large wooden bench, raising one hand in a formal, decisive gesture, symbolizing a ruling.

Examples

El fallo del jurado se dará a conocer mañana.

The jury's ruling will be announced tomorrow.

El fallo del tribunal fue a favor de la demandante.

The court's ruling was in favor of the plaintiff.

La prensa espera el fallo final sobre el caso de corrupción.

The press awaits the final verdict on the corruption case.

Formal Use

This meaning is almost always used when discussing legal or official decisions made by a judge or official body.

sentencia

sen-TEN-see-ah/senˈten.θja/

nounB1Formal
Use this for the final judgment or sentence handed down by a court, especially in a legal case.
A large wooden gavel resting on a round wooden sound block, symbolizing a final legal judgment.

Examples

La sentencia fue de tres años de cárcel.

The sentence was three years in jail.

La sentencia por el robo fue de cinco años de prisión.

The sentence for the robbery was five years in prison.

El juez dictará la sentencia el próximo martes.

The judge will issue the verdict next Tuesday.

Los abogados están preparando una apelación contra la sentencia.

The lawyers are preparing an appeal against the ruling.

The Action of Judging

To say that a judge 'passes' or 'issues' a sentence, use the verb 'dictar': 'El juez dictó sentencia' (The judge issued the sentence).

veredicto

veh-reh-DEEK-toh/beɾeˈðikto/

nounB1Formal
This specifically means the finding or decision reached by a jury on the facts of a case.
A close-up view of a traditional wooden judge's gavel resting on its matching round sound block.

Examples

El veredicto del jurado fue 'no culpable'.

The jury's verdict was 'not guilty'.

El jurado emitió su veredicto después de tres días de deliberación.

The jury issued its verdict after three days of deliberation.

Todos esperaban el veredicto final del juez sobre el caso.

Everyone was awaiting the judge's final ruling on the case.

El veredicto del público sobre la nueva tecnología fue muy positivo.

The public's judgment on the new technology was very positive.

Gender Check

'Veredicto' is always a masculine noun, so it must be paired with masculine articles and adjectives: 'el veredicto' or 'un veredicto'.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake:Hacer un veredicto (To do a verdict)

Correction: Emitir un veredicto (To issue a verdict). 'Emitir' is the specific verb used when a jury or judge formally declares their decision.

ojos

/OH-hohs//ˈo.xos/

NounB1General
This translation is used in specific idiomatic expressions, like 'in the eyes of the law' (a los ojos de la ley).
A pair of large, attentive brown eyes intently watching a small, shiny gold coin sitting on a table, symbolizing focus.

Examples

Desde los ojos del mundo, su acción fue un error.

In the eyes of the world, his action was a mistake.

Tengo mis ojos puestos en ti, no intentes nada.

I've got my eyes on you, don't try anything.

A los ojos de la ley, todos somos iguales.

In the eyes of the law, we are all equal.

El profesor tiene mil ojos, lo ve todo.

The teacher has a thousand eyes, he sees everything.

Opinion vs. Official Ruling

Learners often confuse 'opinión' and 'juicio' with legal terms like 'fallo' or 'sentencia'. Remember that 'opinión' and 'juicio' are for personal views, while 'fallo', 'sentencia', and 'veredicto' refer to official legal decisions.

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.