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How to Say "verdict" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sentencia

sen-TEN-see-ah/senˈten.θja/

nounB1formal
Use 'sentencia' when referring to a final judgment or sentence passed by a court, especially in criminal cases, or a general court decision.
A large wooden gavel resting on a round wooden sound block, symbolizing a final legal judgment.

Examples

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
Choose 'veredicto' specifically for the formal decision reached by a jury or a judge after considering the evidence in a trial.
A close-up view of a traditional wooden judge's gavel resting on its matching round sound block.

Examples

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.

fallo

/fá-yo//ˈfa.ʎo/

nounB2formal
Employ 'fallo' to describe a ruling or judgment, often implying a decision on a specific point or a final outcome, particularly in civil cases or appeals.
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 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 vs. Veredicto

Learners often confuse 'sentencia' and 'veredicto'. Remember that 'veredicto' is the specific jury decision, while 'sentencia' is the broader term for a court's final judgment or sentence, especially in criminal matters.

Related Translations

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