urteilen über
to judge
To form an opinion about someone or something and express it; to evaluate someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte nicht über Menschen urteilen, die man nicht kennt.
You shouldn't judge people you don't know.
urteilen
to judge
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Meanings
urteilen
to rule / judge
In a legal context, to make the formal decision of a court and deliver a judgment.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter wird morgen in diesem Fall urteilen.
The judge will rule in this case tomorrow.
nach etwas zu urteilen
judging by
To draw a conclusion based on certain signs or information.
EXAMPLE
Seinem Gesichtsausdruck nach zu urteilen, war er mit dem Ergebnis nicht zufrieden.
Judging by his facial expression, he was not satisfied with the result.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'urteilen' (to judge) is closely related to the noun 'das Urteil' (the opinion, the decision of a court). Someone who 'urteilt' (judges) makes a judgment.
EXAMPLE
Sein Urteil über den Film war sehr negativ.
His judgment of the film was very negative.
Construction reveals meaning
The different meanings of 'urteilen' (to judge) can often be recognized from the sentence construction. The preposition 'über' (+ accusative) points to an evaluation (m01), while the phrase 'nach ... zu urteilen' (judging by ...) introduces a conclusion (m03).
EXAMPLE
Bitte urteile nicht über meine Entscheidung.
Please don't judge my decision.
Fixed preposition
When you express an opinion about someone or something, 'urteilen' (to judge) is used with the preposition 'über' and the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Er urteilt immer sehr schnell über andere Menschen.
He always judges other people very quickly.
Fixed expression with 'nach'
The construction 'nach etwas zu urteilen' (judging by something) is used to express a conclusion. The part after the preposition 'nach' is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Dem Applaus nach zu urteilen, hat dem Publikum das Konzert sehr gut gefallen.
Judging by the applause, the audience really liked the concert.
Legal context
In the meaning 'ein Urteil fällen' (to pass judgment), the verb is used almost exclusively in a legal context. Typical subjects are 'der Richter' (the judge), 'die Richterin' (the female judge), or 'das Gericht' (the court).
EXAMPLE
Das Gericht urteilte, dass der Vertrag ungültig ist.
The court ruled that the contract is invalid.
Compare with
urteilen vs entscheiden
to decide
When referring to a court, entscheiden and urteilen can both describe reaching a binding resolution. Entscheiden is more general and emphasizes the final resolution of the matter, while urteilen specifically refers to delivering a judgment. Urteilen is therefore especially suitable for a court judgment; entscheiden is also possible.
urteilen
Das Gericht urteilte nach mehreren Verhandlungstagen über die Klage.
After several days of hearings, the court ruled on the lawsuit.
entscheiden
Das Gericht entschied den Streit nach mehreren Verhandlungstagen.
The court decided the dispute after several days of hearings.
In real life
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