juzgar
verbCEFR B2
What does “juzgar” mean in English?
to judge, to assess
to judge, to assess (juzgar a alguien/algo — form an opinion or conclusion about; also to try in a court)
Example sentences
Es fácil juzgar las decisiones del pasado con la perspectiva que aporta el tiempo, pero el contexto era muy distinto.
It is easy to judge decisions of the past with the perspective time provides, but the context was very different.
El acusado será juzgado por un tribunal especializado en delitos económicos y fiscales.
The accused will be tried by a court specialising in economic and tax crimes.
No me gusta que me juzguen por un solo error cuando he tenido una trayectoria impecable durante años.
I don't like being judged for a single mistake when I have had an impeccable track record for years.
How to use it
Juzgar means 'to judge' or 'to try (in court)'. At B2, two senses dominate: (1) evaluate/form an opinion: 'no te apresures a juzgar a las personas por su apariencia'; (2) try legally: 'el acusado será juzgado el próximo mes'. Structure: juzgar a alguien (por algo) — judge someone (for something). The reflexive juzgarse means 'to judge oneself'. Key collocations: juzgar por las apariencias, juzgar con dureza/precipitadamente, juzgar los resultados.
Common mistake
Juzgar por las apariencias (judge by appearances) is a very frequent B2 phrase. The legal sense 'ser juzgado' (to be tried/stand trial) is passive and uses ser, not estar. Note: 'a juzgar por...' (judging by... / going by...) is an important discourse marker: 'a juzgar por los resultados, el plan funcionó'.