Translation and Meaning of: 判 - ban

The word 「判」 has a quite versatile meaning in the Japanese language, being frequently used in the context of decisions or judgments. The kanji 「判」 can be read as "はん" (han) or "ばん" (ban), depending on the context of the sentence. It is commonly associated with decisions, distinctions, or judgments, referring to an idea of evaluation or determination. In etymology, this kanji is composed of the radicals 「半」, which means "half," and 「刀」, which denotes "knife" or "cutting instrument," suggesting the idea of dividing or deciding.

Originating from Chinese roots, the kanji 「判」 carries the meaning of discernment or resolution, something that is reflected in its everyday uses. For example, in the system of tampouco, it is an expression that refers to official decisions made by government bodies, courts, and other institutions. In the Japanese language, it is an essential part of compound words such as 「判断」 (handan) which means "judgment" or "decision," and 「判定」 (hantei), which refers to "determination" or "evaluation."

In addition to its formal use, 「判」 also appears in more informal and practical contexts, such as in 「判子」 (hanko), which refers to the personal seal used on documents instead of a handwritten signature in various East Asian countries. This form of seal is an example of how traditional Japanese culture continues to influence modern practices. The use of 「判」 in these contexts highlights its flexibility and the importance of an authoritative decision, whether in a legal context or in the simple act of authenticating a document.

Interestingly, the interpretation of 「判」 as "ban" can still refer to societies or institutions, where it pertains to formal agreements or dealings. In the field of social and human sciences, it is used in combination with other characters to describe phenomena that go beyond literal judgments, addressing aspects of social critique and cultural analysis. This multi-purpose nature of the kanji 「判」 shows how deeply it is ingrained in the Japanese language, offering a range of meanings that can vary from fundamental decisions to daily administrative tasks.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 判定 (hantei) - Evaluation, determination of a decision or judgment.
• 判決 (hanketsu) - Judicial decision, usually in a court, which tends to be more formal.
• 判明 (hanmei) - Clarification, revelation of a fact or situation after investigation.
• 判定する (hantei suru) - Evaluate, determine something through analysis.
• 判決する (hanketsu suru) - Make a judicial or formal decision on a case.
• 判明する (hanmei suru) - To reveal oneself, to clarify oneself, or to have a situation or fact confirmed.

判

Romaji: ban
Kana: ばん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: size (paper or books)

Meaning in English: size (of paper or books)

Definition: To make a legal decision in a judicial process, etc.

Example Sentences - (判) ban

See below some example sentences:

主観に基づいて判断する。

Shukan ni motodzuite handan suru

Decide based on subjective point of view.

Judgment based on subjectivity.

• 主観に基づいて - based on the subjective
• 判断する - judge

適確な判断をすることが重要です。

Tekikaku na handan wo suru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to do accurate judgments.

It is important to make an appropriate decision.

• 適確な - I need, exact
• 判断をする - Making a decision, judging
• ことが - Particle indicating that the previous word is the subject of the sentence
• 重要です - is important

野党は政権を批判する。

Yatou wa seiken wo hihan suru

The opposition criticizes the government.

The opposition criticizes the government.

• 野党 - opposition party
• は - Topic particle
• 政権 - government, administration
• を - direct object particle
• 批判する - criticize, condemn

批判は建設的な議論を生む。

Hihan wa kensetsuteki na giron wo umu

Criticism generates constructive discussions.

Criticism breeds constructive debate.

• 批判 (hihan) - criticism
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 建設的 (kensetsuteki) - constructive
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 議論 (giron) - discussion
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 生む (umu) - to produce

実例を見てから判断してください。

Jitsurei wo mite kara handan shite kudasai

Please make a judgment after seeing a real example.

Please judge after looking at the examples.

• 実例 - Example
• を - direct object particle
• 見て - ver (-te form of the verb)
• から - time particle, indicates that the action takes place after something
• 判断して - judge, decide (-te form of the verb)
• ください - please make a request

この問題の判定は難しいです。

Kono mondai no hantei wa muzukashii desu

Assessing this problem is difficult.

It is difficult to judge this issue.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that "問題" belongs to something or someone
• 判定 - noun that means "judgment" or "evaluation"
• は - topic particle indicating that "判定" is the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - adjective that means "difficult" or "complicated"
• です - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, that "判定" is difficult

このレストランの評判はとても良いです。

Kono resutoran no hyouban wa totemo ii desu

The reputation of this restaurant is very good.

The reputation of this restaurant is very good.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• レストラン - restaurant
• の - particle of possession, in this case, "of"
• 評判 - Reputação, fama
• は - topic particle, in this case "about"
• とても - very
• 良い - good
• です - verb to be, in this case, "is"

この判定は正しいですか？

Kono hantei wa tadashii desu ka?

Is this decision correct?

Is this judgment correct?

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 判定 - noun that means "judgment" or "evaluation".
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 正しい - adjective that means "correct" or "right".
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and formal form.
• か - particle that indicates a question.
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question.

この判決は正当です。

Kono hanketsu wa seitō desu

This judgment is justified.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 判決 - noun that means "sentence" or "judicial decision"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the sentence"
• 正当 - adjective that means "fair" or "legitimate"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form
• . - punctuation mark indicating the end of the sentence

この判断は妥当だと思います。

Kono handan wa datō da to omoimasu

I think this decision is fair.

I think this decision is reasonable.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 判断 - noun meaning "judgment" or "decision"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 妥当 - adjective meaning "appropriate" or "reasonable"
• だ - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and the affirmative form
• と - particle that indicates the direct quotation of an opinion or thought
• 思います - verb that means "to think" or "believe" and indicates the polite and polite form