裁判官(さいばんかん)

裁判官(さいばんかん) is the standard term for a judge in a court of law, formed from 裁判(さいばん) (trial) + 官(かん) (official).

Common collocations

• 裁判官(さいばんかん)になる: to become a judge
• 裁判官(さいばんかん)が判決(はんけつ)を下(くだ)す: the judge delivers a verdict
• 裁判官(さいばんかん)が言(い)い渡(わた)す: the judge pronounces

Courtroom roles

• 裁判官(さいばんかん)/判事(はんじ): judge
• 裁判長(さいばんちょう): presiding judge
• 弁護士(べんごし): lawyer/attorney
• 検察官(けんさつかん): prosecutor
• 被告人(ひこくにん): defendant

Usage

判事(はんじ) is a more formal synonym. In Japan, judges are career professionals who pass the 司法試験(しほうしけん) (bar exam) and complete training at the 司法研修所(しほうけんしゅうじょ).