discretion / judgment
das Ermessen
Loading your saved state.
discretion
The freedom to make one's own decisions within certain limits. In legal contexts, this refers to the scope for action legally granted to an authority when making a decision.
Es liegt im Ermessen der Behörde, ob sie die Frist verlängert.
It is at the authority's discretion whether to extend the deadline.
judgment
One's own assessment or judgment of something.
Nach meinem Ermessen ist diese Lösung die beste.
In my judgment, this solution is the best.
to the best of human judgment
As far as people can judge or predict something; with a very high degree of probability.
Nach menschlichem Ermessen wird der Patient wieder vollständig gesund.
To the best of human judgment, the patient will make a full recovery.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Ermessens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Ermessen | – |
| accusative | das Ermessen | – |
| dative | dem Ermessen | – |
| genitive | des Ermessens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Ermessen' (discretion / judgment) occurs particularly often in legal, administrative, and other formal texts. In these contexts, it often refers to discretionary power or a well-founded assessment.
Die Behörde muss ihr Ermessen sorgfältig ausüben.
The authority must exercise its discretion carefully.
When referring to discretionary power, 'im Ermessen' (at the discretion of) is often used with the genitive form of the responsible person or institution. Typical patterns are 'im Ermessen der Behörde liegen' (to be at the authority's discretion) and 'im Ermessen des Gerichts stehen' (to be at the court's discretion).
Ob die Genehmigung erteilt wird, liegt im Ermessen der zuständigen Stelle.
Whether the permit is granted is at the discretion of the responsible authority.
When expressing a personal assessment, 'Ermessen' (judgment) often follows 'nach' (according to) with a possessive determiner or an adjective. Common patterns are 'nach meinem Ermessen' (in my judgment) and 'nach eigenem Ermessen' (at one's own discretion).
Nach unserem Ermessen reicht die Zeit für das Projekt nicht aus.
In our judgment, there is not enough time for the project.
'Nach menschlichem Ermessen' (to the best of human judgment) is a fixed formal expression used particularly for predictions and statements about the future. It signals an assessment with a very high degree of probability.
Nach menschlichem Ermessen kann das Gebäude im Herbst eröffnet werden.
To the best of human judgment, the building can be opened in the fall.
