01
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
01 / 03
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
'entscheiden' and 'urteilen' can both occur in official or legal situations. 'entscheiden' emphasizes that a binding decision is made in the end. 'urteilen' places more emphasis on evaluating: you form an opinion about someone or something, or a court delivers a judgment. In everyday language, you say 'über jemanden urteilen' (to judge someone) when you are evaluating someone, not when you are simply making a choice. The words can be confused because a court can both 'urteilen' and 'entscheiden'. Outside of court, the difference is clearer: 'entscheiden' means to choose or decide, while 'urteilen' means to judge or evaluate.
urteilen
Die Verkäuferin urteilt nicht über Kunden, nur weil sie wenig kaufen.
The saleswoman does not judge customers just because they buy very little.
entscheiden
Wegen des Wetters entscheiden wir am Morgen, ob der Ausflug stattfindet.
Because of the weather, we will decide in the morning whether the trip will take place.
In real life
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