referee / arbitrator
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referee
An impartial person who monitors compliance with the rules in a sport and directs the game. Depending on the sport, also called a ring referee or judge.
Der Schiedsrichter zeigte dem Spieler nach dem Foul die Rote Karte.
The referee showed the player the red card after the foul.
The word is made up of 'Schied' (from 'scheiden', which here means 'to decide a dispute') and 'Richter' (judge). A 'Schiedsrichter' is therefore literally a 'decision judge'.
Der Schiedsrichter beendete das Spiel pünktlich.
The referee ended the game on time.
In a sports context, 'Schiedsrichter' is often connected with certain verbs. Typical ones are: 'das Spiel pfeifen' (to referee the game), 'eine Karte zeigen' (to show a card), or 'eine Entscheidung treffen' (to make a decision).
Der Schiedsrichter pfiff das Foul sofort.
The referee called the foul immediately.
In the legal or figurative meaning, a 'Schiedsrichter' is often 'eingeschaltet' (brought in) or 'angerufen' (appealed to/called upon) in order to 'schlichten' (settle) a conflict.
Die beiden Parteien einigten sich darauf, einen Schiedsrichter einzuschalten.
The two parties agreed to bring in an arbitrator.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. Words like 'Spiel' (game), 'Foul' (foul), or 'Tor' (goal) point to sports. Terms like 'Konflikt' (conflict), 'Streit' (dispute), or 'Einigung' (agreement) point to the figurative meaning.
Im Tarifkonflikt konnte der Schiedsrichter eine Einigung erzielen.
In the collective bargaining dispute, the arbitrator was able to reach an agreement.
judge
'der Richter' and 'der Schiedsrichter' can both be people who make decisions in a competition. 'Richter' is more suitable when someone evaluates a performance, for example in a tournament or competition. 'Schiedsrichter' is used especially in sports, when someone directs the game and makes sure the rules are followed. Learners may confuse the words because both are allowed to make decisions. In football or handball, however, 'Schiedsrichter' sounds natural; for evaluating performances, 'Richter' is more likely.
Der Schiedsrichter pfeift das Spiel ab, weil ein Spieler verletzt ist.
The referee blows the whistle to stop the game because a player is injured.
Beim Tanzwettbewerb geben die Richter nach jedem Auftritt Punkte.
At the dance competition, the judges give points after each performance.