<p>The idiom 评头论足 is a normal phrase for this setting and has a negative connotation as well.  E. g.  他总是对别人评头论足。</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:25:58.040Z
评头论足 mainly means "forming opinions on someone base on that someone's appearance"
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:55:26.387Z
@TangHo No, it's not just "based on one's appearance".  It could be one's personality, characteristic, behavior, etc.  Its meaning has been extended to more broader sense from its literal meaning.
dan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:23:45.050Z
2020-01-27T10:23:45.050Z
dan
<p>A better translation will involve a change in expression.</p>

<p>（EDITED）</p>

<p>她意识到朋友以私见裁度她，对她的感觉变了味，也不再愿意和她在一起。</p>

<p>Comment:</p>

<p>以私见裁度， what a brilliant translation! 私见，一己之见， personal opinion；裁度，to judge, to assert, 裁 emphasizes the arbitrary aspect.</p>

<p>（ORIGINAL）</p>

<p>她发现朋友对她指指点点/评头论足，与她相处的感觉变了味，也不再愿意和她在一起。</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:28:02.283Z
指指点点 means " voice subjective opinions on someone" ; 评头论足 mainly means "forming opinions on someone base on that someone's appearance"
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:33:41.023Z
@TangHo I think it is appropriate as I looked up Dictionary: judge: to give your opinion about sb, esp. when you disapprove of them. 指指点点：指频繁挑出他人的缺点咄咄逼人，或背后评论人。 评头论足：意思是指轻浮地议论妇女的容貌。今泛指对人对事说长道短，多方挑剔。
Toosky Hierot
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:35:46.323Z
@TangHo Also, 评头论足 isn't 以貌取人, which matches your comment.
Toosky Hierot
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:37:34.490Z
I did not say 评头论足 is invalid translation of "judge" , but base on the context,  "judge" here is more likely referring to  "(morally) judge"= "(在道德上)品評". If her friends are making remarks about her, she wouldn't use the word "sense"
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:37:42.983Z
@TangHo It means: make frivolous comments about a female's appearance.
Toosky Hierot
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:39:15.820Z
The object of 评头论足 can be male or female. If I apply to be a model, the agency would 评头论足 me too
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:41:33.013Z
@TangHo I think today it's meaning extents from just appearance. (●°u°●)​ 」But I agree with "morally judge" thing.
Toosky Hierot
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T10:25:49.443Z
2020-01-27T11:01:26.007Z
2020-01-27T11:01:26.007Z
Toosky Hierot
<p>dROOOze wrote:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>"Judge" in English used in the sense [personally] form a negative opinion of is not transferable to the word 判斷.</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>A simple answer is: "Judge" should be translated as <a href="http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/47433/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">品評</a> (form opinion on someone or something base on one's own standard) here --> <em>她意识到她的朋友在品評她...</em></p>

<p>The more precise translation of "She senses her friends are <strong>(morally) judging</strong> her..."  should be "她意识到她的朋友 <strong>(在道德上)品評</strong>她</p>

<p><strong>Edit:</strong></p>

<p>Becky 李蓓 wrote:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>I find 品评 too formal here</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>A less formal term would be "<a href="http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/10893/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">評價</a>" (to evaluate, to assess) --> "在道德上評價她"</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T04:13:13.417Z
I think “”品評“ and “評價” don't have the meaning of "negative opinion"
Y.T.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T04:41:29.653Z
Not just "negative opinion"  ,  "presumptuous  opinion" also fit how the girl was sensing.
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T09:59:45.663Z
2020-01-27T21:38:04.253Z
2020-01-27T21:38:04.253Z
Tang Ho
<p>When you judge someone, you are not trying to figure out they are right or wrong, you judge them because you determine some of their action is wrong.</p>

<p>The word 判断 is the action of one trying to figure out if something is right or wrong, so to better fit your context, use the word 批判, it means one determines another is wrong and is expressing the disapproval.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T04:50:27.237Z
2020-01-28T04:50:27.237Z
Fanghan Hu
<p>I don't think there is a direct translation.
Based on the context, you could use the word 批判; or in an even harsher sense, use the word 鄙視.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T01:26:17.907Z
2020-01-28T01:26:17.907Z
user23535
<p>判断 means determine.</p>

<p>I think 評斷 can be used. 評斷 have the meaning of judgement. So it can be used here.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T14:41:08.157Z
2020-01-27T14:41:08.157Z
000
<p>(native chinese speaker here)</p>

<p><code>判断</code> in Chinese doesn't have the negative connotation as <code>judge</code> in English does. 
<code>判断</code> simply means to make an estimation/distinguishment based on what the person knows/feels.</p>

<p>Besides, we never say <code>判断</code> sb., instead, we say <code>判断</code> sth., or use it as a verb. e.g.:</p>

<ul>
<li>How to <code>判断</code> (verb. =determine) whether sth. is ... or not</li>
<li>According to my <code>判断</code> (noun, =observations &amp; estimation), the stock market ...</li>
</ul>

<hr>

<p>As for a better choice of word, I would vote against <code>品评</code> as it is old-fashioned and rarely used. 
<code>评论</code> would be a better alternative (=discuss + negative connotation), or <code>批判</code> (=criticize).
The best word would be <code>评判</code> (<code>评论</code> + <code>批判</code>).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-30T05:24:15.893Z
2020-01-30T05:24:15.893Z
Kevin
<p>This is a sentence of my writing:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>她意识到朋友<strong>判断</strong>她、对她的感觉变了、不再想跟她在一起。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It's meant to mean something like:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>She's aware that her friends judge her, have changed feelings about her, and don't want to spend time with her.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(Think someone with depression.)</p>

<p>My teacher said 判断 was the wrong word here, but we didn't immediately figure out a better choice, and forgot to get back to it.  I'm not sure what the problem even is.</p>

<p><strong>Question</strong>: Why did my teacher say 判断 is wrong in the above sentence and what's a better choice of word?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T09:43:32.543Z
"Judge" in English used in the sense *[personally] form a negative opinion of* is not transferable to the word 判斷.
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T13:15:10.847Z
判斷, (judgement), is specifically meant to be used in the legal / judicial context. Hence your teacher saying it was wrong within the context of your sentence in question. In your case, it is forming a "judgement" in the socio-moral sense which other commentators have given some suggestions. I would go for 品评 which means "judging as an appraisal", and even here
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T13:31:07.520Z
.....  and even here your teacher may object as 品 indicates some item / product is being appraised. It is therefore not easy to find an absolutely watertight term to fit the "judge" you wanted that has the flexibility as used in English. We would like to hear what your teacher suggest.
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T13:31:54.547Z
@WayneCheah I find 品评 too formal here.  I feel OP tends to get a bit casual word.
dan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T13:34:14.823Z
@dan, yes, I am struggling here too.......
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T13:35:06.583Z
This is probably why we put this aside during class.
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-27T13:41:03.410Z
So, we are all 同病相怜  -- "misery loves company"   :)
Wayne Cheah
<word-choice><writing-critique>
Why did my teacher say 判断 is wrong in 她意识到朋友判断她 ("she's aware that her friends judge her") and what's a better choice of word?
# Why did my teacher say 判断 is wrong in 她意识到朋友判断她 ("she's aware that her friends judge her") and what's a better choice of word?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-27)

This is a sentence of my writing:

> 她意识到朋友**判断**她、对她的感觉变了、不再想跟她在一起。

It's meant to mean something like:

> She's aware that her friends judge her, have changed feelings about her, and don't want to spend time with her.

(Think someone with depression.)

My teacher said 判断 was the wrong word here, but we didn't immediately figure out a better choice, and forgot to get back to it. I'm not sure what the problem even is.

**Question**: Why did my teacher say 判断 is wrong in the above sentence and what's a better choice of word?

**Tags:** word-choice, writing-critique

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: "Judge" in English used in the sense *[personally] form a negative opinion of* is not transferable to the word 判斷.  
> **username_2**: 判斷, (judgement), is specifically meant to be used in the legal / judicial context. Hence your teacher saying it was wrong within the context of your sentence in question. In your case, it is forming a "judgement" in the socio-moral sense which other commentators have given some suggestions. I would go for 品评 which means "judging as an appraisal", and even here  
> **username_2**: .....  and even here your teacher may object as 品 indicates some item / product is being appraised. It is therefore not easy to find an absolutely watertight term to fit the "judge" you wanted that has the flexibility as used in English. We would like to hear what your teacher suggest.  
> **username_3**: @username_2 I find 品评 too formal here.  I feel OP tends to get a bit casual word.  
> **username_2**: @username_3, yes, I am struggling here too.......  
> **username_0**: This is probably why we put this aside during class.  
> **username_2**: So, we are all 同病相怜  -- "misery loves company"   :)  

---

## 7 answers

### Answer by username_10 on 2020-01-30. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

(native chinese speaker here)

`判断` in Chinese doesn't have the negative connotation as `judge` in English does.
`判断` simply means to make an estimation/distinguishment based on what the person knows/feels.

Besides, we never say `判断` sb., instead, we say `判断` sth., or use it as a verb. e.g.:

* How to `判断` (verb. =determine) whether sth. is ... or not
* According to my `判断` (noun, =observations & estimation), the stock market ...

---

As for a better choice of word, I would vote against `品评` as it is old-fashioned and rarely used.
`评论` would be a better alternative (=discuss + negative connotation), or `批判` (=criticize).
The best word would be `评判` (`评论` + `批判`).


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-01-27. Score: 3

The idiom 评头论足 is a normal phrase for this setting and has a negative connotation as well. E. g. 他总是对别人评头论足。

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: 评头论足 mainly means "forming opinions on someone base on that someone's appearance"  
> **username_3**: @username_4 No, it's not just "based on one's appearance".  It could be one's personality, characteristic, behavior, etc.  Its meaning has been extended to more broader sense from its literal meaning.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2020-01-27. Score: 2

A better translation will involve a change in expression.

（EDITED）

她意识到朋友以私见裁度她，对她的感觉变了味，也不再愿意和她在一起。

Comment:

以私见裁度， what a brilliant translation! 私见，一己之见， personal opinion；裁度，to judge, to assert, 裁 emphasizes the arbitrary aspect.

（ORIGINAL）

她发现朋友对她指指点点/评头论足，与她相处的感觉变了味，也不再愿意和她在一起。

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: 指指点点 means " voice subjective opinions on someone" ; 评头论足 mainly means "forming opinions on someone base on that someone's appearance"  
> **username_5**: @username_4 I think it is appropriate as I looked up Dictionary: judge: to give your opinion about sb, esp. when you disapprove of them. 指指点点：指频繁挑出他人的缺点咄咄逼人，或背后评论人。 评头论足：意思是指轻浮地议论妇女的容貌。今泛指对人对事说长道短，多方挑剔。  
> **username_5**: @username_4 Also, 评头论足 isn't 以貌取人, which matches your comment.  
> **username_4**: I did not say 评头论足 is invalid translation of "judge" , but base on the context,  "judge" here is more likely referring to  "(morally) judge"= "(在道德上)品評". If her friends are making remarks about her, she wouldn't use the word "sense"  
> **username_5**: @username_4 It means: make frivolous comments about a female's appearance.  
> **username_4**: The object of 评头论足 can be male or female. If I apply to be a model, the agency would 评头论足 me too  
> **username_5**: @username_4 I think today it's meaning extents from just appearance. (●°u°●)​ 」But I agree with "morally judge" thing.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2020-01-27. Score: 2

username_1 wrote:

> *"Judge" in English used in the sense [personally] form a negative opinion of is not transferable to the word 判斷.*

A simple answer is: "Judge" should be translated as [品評](http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/47433/) (form opinion on someone or something base on one's own standard) here --> *她意识到她的朋友在品評她...*

The more precise translation of "She senses her friends are **(morally) judging** her..." should be "她意识到她的朋友 **(在道德上)品評**她

**Edit:**

username_0 李蓓 wrote:

> *I find 品评 too formal here*

A less formal term would be "[評價](http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/10893/)" (to evaluate, to assess) --> "在道德上評價她"

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: I think “”品評“ and “評價” don't have the meaning of "negative opinion"  
> **username_4**: Not just "negative opinion"  ,  "presumptuous  opinion" also fit how the girl was sensing.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2020-01-28. Score: 1

When you judge someone, you are not trying to figure out they are right or wrong, you judge them because you determine some of their action is wrong.

The word 判断 is the action of one trying to figure out if something is right or wrong, so to better fit your context, use the word 批判, it means one determines another is wrong and is expressing the disapproval.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2020-01-28. Score: 0

I don't think there is a direct translation.
Based on the context, you could use the word 批判; or in an even harsher sense, use the word 鄙視.


---

### Answer by username_9 on 2020-01-27. Score: 0

判断 means determine.

I think 評斷 can be used. 評斷 have the meaning of judgement. So it can be used here.


---

