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B1 noun 9 min de lectura

juiz

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos juiz en 30 segundos

Explicación juiz in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'juiz' as a basic vocabulary word for a profession. It is part of the 'jobs and occupations' category. You should focus on the singular form 'o juiz' and know that it means 'the judge'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex legal sentences. Instead, practice simple identification: 'Ele é juiz' (He is a judge). You should also be aware of the feminine form 'a juíza' (the female judge). It's helpful to associate the word with a picture of a courtroom or a soccer referee to help it stick. Remember that in Portuguese, we often omit the indefinite article 'um' when stating someone's profession, so 'Ele é juiz' is more natural than 'Ele é um juiz'.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'juiz' in more descriptive contexts. You might describe what a judge does using simple verbs: 'O juiz trabalha no tribunal' (The judge works in the court) or 'O juiz decide casos' (The judge decides cases). This is also the stage where you should learn the plural form 'juízes' and pay close attention to the spelling change. You can start using the word in the context of sports, which is a very common topic of conversation in Portuguese-speaking cultures. For example, 'O juiz deu um cartão vermelho' (The referee gave a red card). You are building the ability to talk about people's roles in society and their actions in everyday events.

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At the B1 level (the current level for this word), you are expected to understand 'juiz' in a variety of contexts, including news reports and more complex social situations. You should be able to discuss the concept of justice and the role of the judiciary in a basic way. You can use phrases like 'juiz de paz' for civil marriages or 'juiz de direito' for a standard judge. At this level, you should also understand metaphorical uses, such as 'ser juiz de si mesmo' (to be one's own judge). Your grammar should be more precise, ensuring correct gender and number agreement with adjectives, such as 'uma juíza imparcial' (an impartial female judge). You are moving beyond just 'who' the person is to 'how' they perform their role.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the word 'juiz' in abstract and technical discussions. You might read articles about judicial decisions or the 'independência do juiz' (independence of the judge). You should be able to distinguish between 'juiz' and its synonyms like 'magistrado' or 'árbitro' based on the register of the conversation. You can also use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as the passive voice: 'A sentença foi proferida pelo juiz' (The sentence was delivered by the judge). You should also be familiar with common legal collocations and idioms, understanding the cultural weight that the judiciary holds in countries like Brazil or Portugal.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'juiz' should include the nuances of legal hierarchy and the philosophy of law. You should know that 'juiz' is the base of the judicial career and be familiar with higher titles like 'desembargador' and 'ministro'. You can discuss 'ativismo judicial' (judicial activism) or 'discricionariedade do juiz' (the judge's discretion). Your use of the word in metaphorical and literary contexts should be fluid. You might analyze how a 'juiz' is portrayed in a novel or a film, discussing themes of corruption, integrity, and the human element in the application of the law. You should also be able to handle complex plural and possessive forms without hesitation.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of the word 'juiz'. You can understand and participate in high-level legal debates, perhaps involving 'jurisprudência' (case law) and how individual 'juízes' contribute to the evolution of the legal system. You can catch subtle ironies or double meanings involving the word in political commentary or complex literature. You are aware of the historical evolution of the word and its role in the formation of the Portuguese language and its legal codes. Whether you are reading a technical legal brief or a sophisticated piece of social satire, the word 'juiz' and all its related forms and connotations are completely transparent to you.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

juiz en 30 segundos

A 'juiz' is a judge in a legal court who interprets and applies the law to resolve disputes and sentence criminals.
In the context of sports, 'juiz' is a common colloquial term for a referee or umpire, especially in football and tennis.
The feminine form is 'juíza' and the plural is 'juízes' (note the mandatory accent mark in the plural form).
The word is derived from Latin and carries significant social and professional prestige in all Portuguese-speaking countries.

The word juiz is a fundamental pillar of the Portuguese legal and social vocabulary. At its core, it refers to a judge—a public official authorized to decide cases in a court of law. However, its usage extends far beyond the mahogany benches of a courtroom. In Portuguese, a juiz is anyone who exercises judgment, whether in a formal legal capacity, a sporting event, or a metaphorical moral context. Understanding this word requires grasping not just its definition, but the weight of authority it carries in Lusophone societies. The term is derived from the Latin iudex, reflecting a history of civil law that dates back to the Roman Empire, which deeply influenced the legal systems of Portugal and Brazil.

Legal Authority: The primary use of juiz is to identify the presiding officer in a trial. In Brazil and Portugal, judges are career civil servants who enter the profession through rigorous public examinations (concursos), making the title one of significant academic and social prestige.

O juiz assinou a sentença final do processo criminal.

Translation: The judge signed the final sentence of the criminal process.

In the realm of sports, juiz is frequently used as a synonym for árbitro (referee or umpire). While árbitro is the technically correct term in many sports like football (soccer), fans and commentators often yell at the juiz when a foul is missed. This highlights the word's versatility; it is the person who has the final word on the rules. Whether it is a juiz de linha (linesman) or a juiz de cadeira (chair umpire in tennis), the essence remains the same: the arbiter of truth and rules.

Metaphorical Usage: Beyond professions, the word appears in philosophical contexts. "O tempo é o melhor juiz" (Time is the best judge) is a common proverb suggesting that the truth of a situation will eventually be revealed by the passage of time.

Não seja o juiz das ações alheias sem conhecer a história toda.

Translation: Do not be the judge of others' actions without knowing the whole story.

Grammatically, juiz is masculine, but its feminine counterpart is juíza. It is crucial to note the plural form: juízes. Notice the addition of the 'e' and the accent mark on the 'i' to maintain the correct stress. This change is a common stumbling block for learners, as the singular form ends in 'z', which usually triggers specific pluralization rules in Portuguese. Mastering this word opens doors to discussing law, justice, sports, and ethics with precision and cultural awareness.

Using juiz correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior and the verbs it typically pairs with. In a sentence, the judge is usually the subject of actions like decidir (to decide), sentenciar (to sentence), analisar (to analyze), or presidir (to preside). Because the legal system is a formal environment, sentences involving a juiz often utilize a higher register of Portuguese, though this is not always the case in sports or casual idioms.

Common Verb Pairings: Verbs like "nomear" (to appoint) or "eleger" (to elect, though rarer for judges in Lusophone countries) describe how one becomes a judge. Verbs like "recorrer" (to appeal) describe actions taken against a judge's decision.

O juiz de direito analisou as provas com cautela.

Translation: The judge of law analyzed the evidence with caution.

When referring to a female judge, you must use a juíza. This gender agreement extends to adjectives. For example, "uma juíza justa" (a fair female judge) versus "um juiz justo" (a fair male judge). In plural contexts, "os juízes" is the masculine or mixed-gender plural, while "as juízas" refers exclusively to a group of female judges. This distinction is vital for B1 learners who are moving toward more nuanced descriptions of people and professions.

Muitos juízes federais participaram da conferência sobre ética.

Translation: Many federal judges participated in the conference on ethics.

In sports, the sentence structure often places the juiz as the one who grants or denies points. "O juiz apitou o final da partida" (The judge/referee blew the whistle for the end of the match). Here, the word is synonymous with authority and control over the flow of the game. In metaphorical sentences, juiz often acts as a personification of conscience or social scrutiny. "A consciência é o nosso juiz mais severo" (Conscience is our most severe judge). By practicing these various contexts, you will learn to deploy the word naturally across different domains of conversation.

If you are in a Portuguese-speaking country, you will encounter the word juiz in several distinct environments. The most obvious is the nightly news. Legal proceedings involving politicians, high-profile crimes, or constitutional changes are staples of Brazilian and Portuguese media. You will hear phrases like "O juiz do Supremo Tribunal Federal" (The Supreme Court Justice) or "O juiz decretou a prisão preventiva" (The judge ordered preventive detention). In these contexts, the word sounds formal, serious, and carries a tone of institutional power.

The Football Stadium: In the stands of a stadium, you'll hear juiz shouted with a very different emotional charge. Fans often complain about the "juiz vendido" (sold-out/corrupt judge/referee) or yell "Ei, juiz, olha a falta!" (Hey, judge, look at the foul!). This is the most common informal use of the word.

A torcida ficou furiosa com o juiz após o pênalti não marcado.

Translation: The fans were furious with the referee after the uncalled penalty.

Another common place is in bureaucracy. If you are getting married in a civil ceremony, you will meet a juiz de paz (Justice of the Peace). This is a non-judicial role focused on civil acts like marriages. You might also hear the word in reality TV shows, where the "judges" of a talent competition are called jurados, but people might colloquially refer to their role as "fazer o papel de juiz" (playing the role of judge).

Finally, in literature and cinema, the juiz is a recurring figure representing the conflict between law and justice. Whether in a classic novel by Eça de Queirós or a modern Brazilian crime drama like "O Mecanismo," the judge is a symbol of the state. Listening for the word in these diverse settings—from the angry shouts of a soccer fan to the solemn declarations of a news anchor—will help you understand the vast spectrum of its social and emotional resonance.

Learners of Portuguese often face three main challenges with the word juiz: pluralization, gender agreement, and contextual synonyms. Because the word ends in 'z', English speakers might be tempted to just add an 's' (juizs), which is incorrect. In Portuguese, words ending in 'z' typically form the plural by adding 'es'. However, juiz is special because the addition of 'es' requires a written accent on the 'i' (juízes) to show that the 'i' and 'u' are no longer a diphthong and that the 'i' is the stressed syllable.

The Plural Trap: Mistake: "Os juizes decidiram." (Missing accent). Correct: "Os juízes decidiram." The accent is mandatory to mark the hiatus.

Não confunda a grafia: singular juiz (sem acento), plural juízes (com acento).

Translation: Don't confuse the spelling: singular juiz (no accent), plural juízes (with accent).

Another mistake is failing to use the feminine form juíza. While some professions in Portuguese are becoming gender-neutral in casual speech, juiz/juíza remains strictly gendered in formal and legal contexts. Referring to a female judge as "o juiz" is technically incorrect and can be seen as a lack of proficiency. Always check the gender of the person you are referring to and adjust the article and adjectives accordingly: "A juíza foi muito rigorosa" (The female judge was very rigorous).

Lastly, beware of the false friend possibility. While juiz translates to 'judge', the word 'justice' is justiça. Sometimes learners say "Ele é uma justiça" when they mean "Ele é um juiz." A person is a juiz; the concept or the system is justiça. Furthermore, in higher legal circles, a judge of an appellate court is called a desembargador, not a juiz. Using juiz for a high-court official is a common oversight by those not familiar with the hierarchy of the legal system.

To enrich your Portuguese, it is helpful to know words that are similar to juiz but carry different nuances. The most direct synonym in a professional context is magistrado. While juiz is the common name for the job, magistrado is the more formal, collective term for members of the judiciary. If you want to sound more academic or formal, use magistrado.

Hierarchy of Terms

Juiz de Direito: A standard trial judge.
Desembargador: A judge in a court of appeals (Tribunal de Justiça).
Ministro: A judge in a superior court (like the Supreme Court).

O termo magistrado engloba tanto juízes quanto desembargadores.

Translation: The term 'magistrado' encompasses both judges and appellate judges.

In the context of sports, as mentioned, árbitro is the technical term. In a soccer match, the árbitro central is the one on the field, and the árbitros assistentes (or bandeirinhas) are on the sidelines. In a competition like a talent show or a scientific fair, the person judging is a jurado (juror). This is a key distinction: a juiz holds a permanent legal office, while a jurado is often a temporary evaluator.

If you are looking for a metaphorical alternative, you might use avaliador (evaluator) or crítico (critic). For instance, "Ele é seu próprio juiz" can be rephrased as "Ele é seu próprio crítico," which shifts the meaning slightly from legalistic judgment to aesthetic or personal evaluation. Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your speech to the specific "court" you are in—whether it's a legal one, a sporting one, or the court of public opinion.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'juiz' is etymologically related to 'dictate' and 'dictionary' because of the 'dicere' root, emphasizing that a judge's job is to 'speak' the law into existence for a specific case.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ʒu.ˈiːz/

US /ʒu.ˈiz/

The stress is on the second syllable 'iz'.

Rima con

nariz feliz aprendiz verniz matriz diretriz imperatriz codorniz

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'j' like the English 'j' in 'judge'.
Treating 'ui' as a single diphthong like 'wheat'.
Forgetting to stress the final syllable.
Mispronouncing the plural 'juízes' by not stressing the 'í'.
Pronouncing the 'z' as a hard 'z' instead of the regional 'sh' sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize, but the plural spelling can be tricky.

Escritura 3/5

The accent in 'juízes' and the 'z' in 'juiz' are common spelling errors.

Expresión oral 2/5

The soft 'j' and final 'z' are standard Portuguese sounds.

Escucha 2/5

Clearly pronounced in most dialects.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

lei tribunal pessoa trabalho falar

Aprende después

advogado sentença processo justiça crime

Avanzado

jurisprudência magistratura acórdão embargos litisconsorte

Gramática que debes saber

Plural of words ending in 'z'

juiz -> juízes, feliz -> felizes

Hiatus accentuation

juízes (the 'i' is tonic and forms a hiatus)

Gender of professions

o juiz / a juíza

Omission of indefinite article with professions

Ele é juiz (instead of 'Ele é um juiz')

Use of 'ser' for permanent professions

Ela é juíza há dez anos.

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Ejemplos por nivel

O juiz é meu pai.

The judge is my father.

Simple subject-verb-complement structure.

Ela é uma juíza muito boa.

She is a very good judge.

Feminine agreement: juíza and boa.

O juiz usa uma roupa preta.

The judge wears black clothes.

Present tense of the verb 'usar'.

Onde está o juiz?

Where is the judge?

Interrogative sentence with 'onde'.

O juiz está no tribunal.

The judge is in the court.

Use of the verb 'estar' for location.

O juiz de futebol é alto.

The soccer referee is tall.

Compound noun 'juiz de futebol'.

Eu vejo o juiz.

I see the judge.

Direct object 'o juiz'.

O juiz tem um livro.

The judge has a book.

Verb 'ter' in the third person singular.

Os juízes chegaram cedo hoje.

The judges arrived early today.

Plural form 'juízes' with the accent.

O juiz falou com o advogado.

The judge spoke with the lawyer.

Preterite tense of 'falar'.

A juíza decidiu o caso ontem.

The female judge decided the case yesterday.

Feminine subject 'a juíza'.

Nós precisamos de um juiz justo.

We need a fair judge.

Verb 'precisar de' followed by an object.

O juiz apitou o início do jogo.

The judge/referee blew the whistle for the start of the game.

Specific sport context.

Eles são juízes famosos no Brasil.

They are famous judges in Brazil.

Plural adjective 'famosos'.

O juiz não gostou da resposta.

The judge did not like the answer.

Negative sentence in the past.

Você conhece aquele juiz?

Do you know that judge?

Demonstrative pronoun 'aquele'.

O juiz de paz realizou o casamento.

The justice of the peace performed the wedding.

Specific term 'juiz de paz'.

É difícil ser um juiz imparcial.

It is difficult to be an impartial judge.

Infinitive 'ser' and adjective 'imparcial'.

O juiz determinou a soltura do réu.

The judge determined the release of the defendant.

Legal vocabulary: soltura, réu.

O erro do juiz mudou o resultado do jogo.

The judge's error changed the result of the game.

Possessive 'do juiz'.

Cada pessoa é juiz de sua própria vida.

Each person is the judge of their own life.

Metaphorical use.

O juiz solicitou mais documentos ao advogado.

The judge requested more documents from the lawyer.

Verb 'solicitar' in a formal context.

A decisão do juiz foi baseada na lei.

The judge's decision was based on the law.

Passive construction 'foi baseada'.

Os juízes federais têm muito poder.

Federal judges have a lot of power.

Plural verb 'têm' with a circumflex accent.

O juiz proferiu uma sentença controversa.

The judge delivered a controversial sentence.

Formal verb 'proferir'.

A imparcialidade do juiz foi questionada pela imprensa.

The judge's impartiality was questioned by the press.

Noun 'imparcialidade'.

O juiz de linha marcou um impedimento inexistente.

The linesman called a non-existent offside.

Sporting term 'juiz de linha'.

Se o juiz aceitar o pedido, o julgamento para.

If the judge accepts the request, the trial stops.

Conditional sentence with the future subjunctive.

O juiz agiu com extrema cautela durante o processo.

The judge acted with extreme caution during the process.

Adverbial phrase 'com extrema cautela'.

Não podemos criticar o juiz sem provas concretas.

We cannot criticize the judge without concrete evidence.

Modal verb 'podemos'.

O juiz relator apresentou seu voto.

The reporting judge presented his vote.

Technical term 'juiz relator'.

A carreira de juiz exige anos de estudo.

A judge's career requires years of study.

Abstract subject 'A carreira'.

A conduta do juiz deve ser pautada pela ética.

The judge's conduct must be guided by ethics.

Passive voice 'ser pautada'.

O juiz indeferiu o recurso por falta de fundamentação.

The judge denied the appeal for lack of grounding.

Legal verb 'indeferir'.

A discricionariedade do juiz não é ilimitada.

The judge's discretion is not unlimited.

Complex noun 'discricionariedade'.

O juiz singular enviou o caso para o tribunal superior.

The single judge sent the case to the superior court.

Technical term 'juiz singular'.

Houve uma suspeição contra o juiz do caso.

There was a challenge to the judge's impartiality (recusal).

Legal term 'suspeição'.

O juiz deve interpretar a lei conforme a constituição.

The judge must interpret the law according to the constitution.

Prepositional phrase 'conforme a'.

A autoridade do juiz emana do Estado.

The judge's authority emanates from the State.

Formal verb 'emanar'.

O juiz garantiu o direito de ampla defesa.

The judge guaranteed the right to a full defense.

Legal phrase 'ampla defesa'.

O juiz agiu como um verdadeiro guardião da democracia.

The judge acted as a true guardian of democracy.

Simile with 'como um'.

A hermenêutica utilizada pelo juiz foi inovadora.

The hermeneutics used by the judge was innovative.

Academic term 'hermenêutica'.

O juiz exacerbou a pena sem a devida motivação.

The judge increased the penalty without proper motivation.

Formal verb 'exacerbar'.

A investidura no cargo de juiz é vitalícia.

The appointment to the office of judge is for life.

Legal term 'investidura'.

O juiz a quo já havia se manifestado sobre o tema.

The lower court judge had already expressed an opinion on the subject.

Latin legal term 'a quo'.

A segurança jurídica depende da coerência dos juízes.

Legal certainty depends on the consistency of judges.

Abstract concept 'segurança jurídica'.

O juiz não pode se eximir de julgar alegando lacuna na lei.

The judge cannot excuse himself from judging by claiming a gap in the law.

Reflexive verb 'eximir-se'.

O magistrado, na qualidade de juiz presidente, conduziu a sessão.

The magistrate, in the capacity of presiding judge, conducted the session.

Appositive phrase.

Colocaciones comunes

juiz de direito

juiz federal

juiz de paz

juiz de linha

juiz de cadeira

ser juiz e parte

decisão do juiz

ordem do juiz

juiz substituto

juiz relator

Frases Comunes

Com a devida vênia, juiz

— A very formal way for a lawyer to disagree with a judge.

Com a devida vênia, juiz, a prova é clara.

O juiz apitou

— Commonly said when a referee makes a call in sports.

O juiz apitou e marcou o pênalti.

O juiz marcou falta

— Used when a referee calls a foul.

O juiz marcou falta fora da área.

Perante o juiz

— In front of or before the judge.

Ele prestou depoimento perante o juiz.

A critério do juiz

— At the judge's discretion.

A fiança será definida a critério do juiz.

Juiz de garantias

— A specific legal role in Brazil overseeing the investigation phase.

O juiz de garantias analisa a legalidade da prisão.

Chamar o juiz

— To call for the judge or referee.

Os jogadores chamaram o juiz para reclamar.

O juiz deu a sentença

— The judge delivered the verdict.

O juiz deu a sentença após três horas.

Juiz singular

— A judge acting alone rather than in a panel.

O caso foi decidido por um juiz singular.

Juiz de fora

— Historically, a judge appointed by the crown; now a famous city name in Brazil.

Ele nasceu em Juiz de Fora.

Se confunde a menudo con

juiz vs justiça

Juiz is the person; justiça is the concept or the institution.

juiz vs júri

Juiz is the professional; júri is the group of citizens (jury).

juiz vs árbitro

Juiz is used colloquially in sports, but árbitro is the official term.

Modismos y expresiones

"Ser juiz e parte"

— To be both the judge and a person involved in the conflict, implying a lack of neutrality.

Ele não pode decidir isso, ele é juiz e parte.

informal/formal

"O tempo é o melhor juiz"

— Time will eventually reveal the truth or the value of something.

Não se preocupe com as mentiras; o tempo é o melhor juiz.

informal

"Cada um é juiz de si mesmo"

— Everyone is responsible for judging their own actions and conscience.

No fim das contas, cada um é juiz de si mesmo.

philosophical

"Deus é o único juiz"

— Suggests that human judgment is flawed and only divine judgment matters.

Não me julgue, Deus é o único juiz.

informal/religious

"O juiz é o senhor do processo"

— The judge has the ultimate authority over how a legal case proceeds.

Lembre-se que o juiz é o senhor do processo.

formal/legal

"Enganar o juiz"

— In sports, to dive or simulate a foul to trick the referee.

O atacante tentou enganar o juiz para ganhar o pênalti.

informal/sports

"Juiz ladrão"

— A common (and insulting) chant against referees in sports.

A torcida gritava 'juiz ladrão' sem parar.

slang/insult

"Dar uma de juiz"

— To act as if one has the authority to judge others' behavior.

Pare de dar uma de juiz na vida dos outros.

informal

"Sentar na cadeira de juiz"

— To assume a position of authority or judgment.

Ele mal chegou e já quer sentar na cadeira de juiz.

informal

"O travesseiro é o melhor juiz"

— One's conscience (at night) is the best way to evaluate one's actions.

Pense bem, o travesseiro é o melhor juiz.

informal

Fácil de confundir

juiz vs Promotor

Both work in court.

The promotor (prosecutor) accuses; the juiz (judge) decides.

O promotor leu a acusação e o juiz ouviu.

juiz vs Desembargador

Both are types of judges.

A juiz works in a lower court; a desembargador works in a court of appeals.

Ele foi promovido de juiz a desembargador.

juiz vs Advogado

Both are legal professionals.

The advogado represents a client; the juiz is neutral.

O advogado defende, o juiz julga.

juiz vs Oficial de Justiça

Contains the word justice.

An oficial de justiça is a court officer who delivers summons, not a judge.

O oficial de justiça entregou a intimação.

juiz vs Ministro

Highest legal level.

In superior courts, judges are called ministros.

O ministro do STF deu uma liminar.

Patrones de oraciones

O [juiz] é [adjective].

O juiz é bom.

O [juiz] [verb] o [noun].

O juiz decidiu o caso.

Eu vi o [juiz] no [place].

Eu vi o juiz no tribunal.

É necessário um [juiz] [adjective].

É necessário um juiz imparcial.

Apesar do [juiz], o [noun] [verb].

Apesar do juiz, o time perdeu.

Cabe ao [juiz] [infinitive] a [noun].

Cabe ao juiz interpretar a lei.

O [noun] foi [verb] pelo [juiz].

O recurso foi negado pelo juiz.

Dada a [noun] do [juiz], [clause].

Dada a autoridade do juiz, a sessão começou.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

juízo

ajuizamento

justiça

judiciário

judicatura

Verbos

julgar

ajuizar

prejulgar

Adjetivos

judicial

judiciário

judicioso

justo

Relacionado

tribunal

sentença

veredito

lei

magistratura

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very common in daily news and sports conversations.

Errores comunes

Os juizes → Os juízes
The plural requires an accent on the 'i' to mark the hiatus.
A juiz → A juíza
Professional titles ending in 'z' usually take an 'a' for the feminine form.
Ele é um juiz → Ele é juiz
In Portuguese, we typically omit the indefinite article when stating someone's profession.
O juiz de futebol apitou o gol. → O árbitro/juiz validou o gol.
While 'apitou' is used for the whistle, 'validar' is more precise for the action of awarding a goal.
O juiz deu a lei. → O juiz aplicou a lei.
Judges apply or interpret law; they don't 'give' it (legislators do).

Consejos

Plural Accent

Never forget the accent on 'juízes'. It's one of the most common spelling tests in Portuguese.

Sports Talk

When watching soccer, use 'juiz' to sound like a local fan, but use 'árbitro' if you are writing a report.

Legal Career

In Brazil, 'passar para juiz' means passing the incredibly hard exam to become a judge.

The Final Z

The final 'z' in 'juiz' is never pronounced like a 'z' in 'zebra'. It's always a soft 's' or 'sh' sound.

Latin Roots

Knowing it comes from 'iudex' helps you connect it to English words like 'judicial' and 'judicious'.

Gender Agreement

Always match the article: 'o juiz' (male), 'a juíza' (female). It's a sign of a B1+ speaker.

Inner Judge

Use 'juiz' to talk about your conscience: 'Meu juiz interno diz que estou errado'.

Addressing Authority

If you ever have to go to court in a Lusophone country, always address the judge with respect.

Desembargador

If the judge is in a higher court (Appeals), they are no longer called 'juiz', but 'desembargador'.

Juiz de Fora

Don't be confused if you see 'Juiz de Fora' on a map; it's a major city in Brazil, not a judge who is outside.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Juiz' as the person who gives the 'Juice' (verdict) in the courtroom. Or associate the 'z' at the end with the 'z' in 'Justice'.

Asociación visual

Imagine a judge hitting a gavel (martelo) on a wooden desk. The sound of the gavel is the final 'z' sound.

Word Web

law court gavel robe verdict justice referee sentence

Desafío

Try to use 'juiz' in three different ways today: once about a profession, once about sports, and once in a metaphorical way about your own decisions.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin word 'iudex, iudicis', which is a combination of 'ius' (law) and 'dicere' (to say/point out).

Significado original: One who points out or speaks the law.

Romance (Latin origin).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when criticizing judges in formal settings; 'desacato' (contempt of court/authority) is a legal offense in some Lusophone jurisdictions.

In English, 'judge' is used for courts and 'referee' for sports. In Portuguese, 'juiz' covers both, which can be confusing for English speakers who expect two different words.

Sérgio Moro (famous Brazilian former judge) Juiz de Fora (a major city in Minas Gerais, Brazil) O Juiz (The Judge), a common title for translated legal thrillers

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

In a Courtroom

Sim, senhor juiz.
O juiz está entrando.
A decisão do juiz é final.
Vou falar com o juiz.

At a Soccer Match

Juiz ladrão!
O juiz não deu o pênalti.
Cadê o juiz?
O juiz parou o jogo.

Getting Married

O juiz de paz chega logo.
Assine na frente do juiz.
O juiz declarou o casal marido e mulher.
Onde fica a sala do juiz?

Watching the News

O juiz assinou a ordem.
O juiz foi entrevistado.
A casa do juiz foi cercada.
O juiz negou o pedido.

Moral Discussion

Não seja o juiz do meu mundo.
Só Deus é meu juiz.
O tempo será o juiz.
Quem é você para ser juiz?

Inicios de conversación

"Você acha que o juiz do jogo de ontem foi justo?"

"Você conhece algum juiz pessoalmente?"

"Qual a sua opinião sobre o poder dos juízes no Brasil?"

"Você teria coragem de ser um juiz criminal?"

"Como se chama a pessoa que faz o papel de juiz no seu esporte favorito?"

Temas para diario

Descreva uma situação em que você teve que ser o juiz em uma briga entre amigos.

Se você fosse um juiz por um dia, que lei você mudaria imediatamente?

Escreva sobre a importância da imparcialidade de um juiz na sociedade.

Você concorda com a frase 'O tempo é o melhor juiz'? Por quê?

Imagine um diálogo entre um juiz e um advogado em um caso muito estranho.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, it is also very commonly used for sports referees and umpires, and metaphorically for anyone making a judgment.

The plural is 'juízes'. Note that you must add an 'e' and an accent on the 'i'.

Yes, it is the standard and required way to refer to a female judge in Portuguese.

In a formal setting, use 'Senhor Juiz' or 'Excelência'. In Brazil, 'Meritíssimo' is also common.

It is a Justice of the Peace, a person authorized to perform civil marriages and other administrative legal acts.

In 'juiz', the 'i' is followed by 'z' in the same syllable, which doesn't need an accent. In 'juízes', the 'i' forms its own syllable (hiatus), requiring an accent to show it is stressed.

Usually, 'jurado' is used for talent shows, but 'juiz' is understood if used colloquially.

Every 'juiz' is a 'magistrado', but 'magistrado' is a more formal, collective term for the profession.

In sports like soccer or tennis, the 'juiz de linha' (linesman) monitors whether the ball stays within the boundaries.

It is not a common last name in Portuguese, unlike 'Judge' in English.

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