der Richter
judge
A person who works at a court and whose task is to make judgments in legal disputes.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter verkündete das Urteil am Ende der Verhandlung.
The judge announced the verdict at the end of the trial.
der Richter
judge
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Meanings
der Richter
judge
A person who evaluates performances in a competition, especially in sports, and decides the ranking.
EXAMPLE
Die Richter beim Turmspringen vergaben für den Sprung die Höchstnote.
The judges in the diving competition awarded the highest score for the dive.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Richter' (judge) derives directly from the verb 'richten' (to judge). In this context, 'richten' means something like 'to pass judgment' or 'to evaluate.' A 'Richter' is therefore a person who judges.
EXAMPLE
Es ist die Aufgabe des Gerichts, über den Fall zu richten.
It is the court's task to rule on the case.
Context clues
The context makes clear which kind of judge is meant. Words like 'Gericht' (court), 'Urteil' (verdict/judgment), or 'Angeklagter' (defendant) point to a judge in the legal sense. Terms like 'Wettbewerb' (competition), 'Punkte' (points), or 'Sportart' (sport) indicate the evaluator in a competition.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte wartete nervös auf die Entscheidung des Richters.
The defendant waited nervously for the judge's decision.
Typical collocations
In a legal context, there are fixed expressions with 'Richter' (judge). These include 'vor dem Richter stehen' (to stand before the judge / be accused) and 'der Richter fällt ein Urteil' (the judge passes a judgment).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Diebstahls musste er vor dem Richter erscheinen.
Because of the theft, he had to appear before the judge.
Typical verbs
When a judge evaluates a competition, the verbs 'bewerten' (to evaluate) or 'Punkte vergeben' (to award points) are often used. The subject is usually 'die Richter' (the judges) in the plural.
EXAMPLE
Die Richter bewerteten die technische Ausführung des Sprungs.
The judges evaluated the technical execution of the jump.
Compare with
Richter vs Schiedsrichter
referee / arbitrator
Richter and Schiedsrichter can both make decisions in sports competitions. A Richter mainly evaluates the performance shown and decides the ranking. A Schiedsrichter, by contrast, oversees a game or fight and ensures that the rules are followed.
Richter
Der Richter bewertete die Übung der Turnerin mit neun Punkten.
The judge awarded the gymnast nine points for her routine.
Schiedsrichter
Der Schiedsrichter unterbrach das Fußballspiel nach einem Foul.
The referee stopped the soccer match after a foul.
In real life
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