This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 10 min read

verdict

Examples verdict in 30 Seconds
Explanation verdict in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should know that 'verdict' is a masculine noun ('le verdict') that means a final decision. It looks almost exactly like the English word 'verdict', which makes it very easy to remember. You will mostly use it in simple sentences to talk about a result or a final answer. For example, if you are playing a game with friends, you might ask for the 'verdict' to know who won. Even though it is a big word, it is very common in French culture and media. Remember that the last letters 'c' and 't' are both pronounced, which is different from many other French words. It sounds like 'ver-dikt'. You can use it when you want to know the final answer to something important.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you can start using 'verdict' in more specific contexts like health, sports, or school results. You should understand that it implies a period of waiting followed by a final decision. A common phrase is 'Le verdict est tombé', which means 'The verdict has been announced' (literally 'has fallen'). You can use it to talk about a doctor's diagnosis or the result of a test. It is a masculine noun, so always use 'le' or 'un'. It is more formal than 'la réponse' or 'le résultat'. When you use 'verdict', you are showing that the decision is final and cannot be easily changed. It is a great word to use when you want to describe a situation with a bit of suspense.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'verdict' in both formal and metaphorical ways. In legal contexts, you can talk about 'rendre un verdict' (to give a verdict) or 'attendre le verdict' (to wait for the verdict). You should also be aware of common adjectives that go with it, such as 'un verdict clément' (a lenient verdict) or 'un verdict sévère' (a harsh verdict). You will hear this word often on the news regarding politics (le verdict des urnes) or major social events. It is important to distinguish 'verdict' from 'sentence'; the 'verdict' is the decision of guilt, while the 'sentence' is the punishment. Using 'verdict' correctly adds a level of precision and sophistication to your French, especially when discussing news or personal opinions on serious matters.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, you should understand the nuances of 'verdict' in various registers of French. In professional settings, a 'verdict' might refer to the outcome of a complex project evaluation or a hiring process. You should be able to use idiomatic expressions like 'un verdict sans appel', which means a decision that is final and cannot be appealed. You should also recognize the dramatic flair the word brings to journalism and literature. At this level, you should be able to discuss the implications of a verdict, whether it is socially acceptable or controversial. You can also use it colloquially to ask for a definitive opinion on something subjective, like a new book or a film, showing that you understand how French speakers use legal terms to add emphasis to daily life.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the legal and philosophical connotations of 'verdict'. You can use it to discuss the judicial system in detail, including the role of the jury in the 'Cour d'assises'. You should be able to analyze the 'verdict' not just as a result, but as a social construct of truth. You will encounter the word in complex literary texts where it might represent fate or divine judgment. You should also be familiar with the technical differences between a 'verdict', an 'arrêt' (a decision from a high court), and a 'jugement'. Your usage should reflect an awareness of the weight the word carries, using it to punctuate arguments or to describe the definitive resolution of a conflict. You should also be able to use it in abstract discussions about ethics and justice.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you master the full spectrum of 'verdict', including its historical etymology from the Old French 'verdit' (true saying). You can use it with precision in academic or legal writing, distinguishing between the 'verdict de culpabilité' and the 'verdict d'acquittement'. You should be able to use the word in highly nuanced ways, perhaps questioning the 'verdict' of history or the 'verdict' of public opinion in a sophisticated essay. You can use it to create specific rhetorical effects, such as irony or gravitas, in high-level oratory. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are aware of its power to shape reality and its role as the final word in the French linguistic landscape. You can seamlessly integrate it into complex sentence structures and use it to explore the boundaries of truth and law.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

verdict in 30 Seconds

  • A masculine noun meaning a formal decision or final judgment, originally from legal contexts.
  • Commonly used in law, sports, medicine, and daily life to denote a moment of truth.
  • Pronounced with the 'ct' sound (/vɛʁ.dikt/), unlike many other French words with silent endings.
  • Often paired with the verb 'tomber' (to fall) to signal that a decision has been announced.

The French word verdict is a masculine noun that carries a weight of finality and authority. At its core, it refers to the formal decision made by a jury in a court of law. However, its usage has expanded far beyond the courtroom into everyday French life, where it signifies a final judgment, a definitive result, or an expert opinion that settles a period of uncertainty. When a French speaker uses this word, they are usually referring to a moment of truth after a period of waiting or deliberation.

Legal Context
In the French judicial system, specifically in the Cour d'assises, the verdict is the answer given by the jury to the questions regarding the guilt of the accused. It is the culmination of the trial process.

Après trois jours de procès, le verdict est enfin tombé : l'accusé est reconnu coupable.

Translation: After three days of trial, the verdict has finally come down: the accused is found guilty.

In a metaphorical sense, you will hear verdict used in sports, medicine, and even culinary competitions. If you are waiting for the results of a blood test, the doctor's final word is the verdict. If you are watching a reality show like Top Chef, the judges' decision on who stays or goes is the verdict. It implies that the decision is no longer up for debate; it is the 'truth' of the situation.

Medical Context
Used when a specialist gives a definitive diagnosis after a series of tests. It emphasizes the gravity of the news.

Le verdict du médecin est sans appel : il faut opérer immédiatement.

The word is often paired with the verb tomber (to fall). In French, we don't just 'get' a verdict; the verdict 'falls' (le verdict tombe), which adds a sense of dramatic impact, as if the decision is a heavy object dropping from the sky. This imagery is very common in news headlines and dramatic storytelling.

Political Context
Journalists often speak of le verdict des urnes (the verdict of the ballot boxes) to describe election results, highlighting that the voters have spoken and the decision is final.

Tout le pays attend avec impatience le verdict des élections législatives.

Quel est ton verdict sur ce nouveau restaurant ?

Finally, you can use it colloquially when asking for a friend's opinion on something simple, like a meal or a movie. By using verdict, you are playfully asking for their 'official' and 'final' judgment, as if they were a judge on a high-stakes panel.

Using verdict correctly involves understanding the verbs that typically accompany it. Because it is a formal noun, it often appears in structures that emphasize the process of reaching or receiving a decision. Whether you are writing a formal report or chatting with a neighbor, the following patterns will help you sound more natural in French.

Attendre le verdict
To wait for the verdict. This is the most common way to express the suspense before a decision is announced.

Les supporters attendent le verdict de la commission de discipline avec angoisse.

When a jury or an authority figure announces the decision, we use the verb rendre (to render or to give). In legal French, rendre un verdict is the technical term for the official delivery of the jury's finding. It is more formal than simply saying 'donner une réponse'.

Le jury a mis dix heures pour rendre son verdict.

Le verdict est tombé
Literally 'the verdict has fallen'. This idiomatic expression is used to say that the decision has been made public, often with a sense of finality or shock.

You can also modify verdict with adjectives to describe its nature. A verdict clément is a lenient one, while a verdict sévère is harsh. If the decision cannot be changed, it is a verdict sans appel (literally 'without appeal').

C'est un verdict sans appel : le projet est annulé définitivement.

Accepter le verdict
To accept the verdict. This is used when someone acknowledges the finality of a decision, even if they don't like it.

Le candidat a dû accepter le verdict des électeurs malgré sa déception.

In casual conversation, you might ask for a 'verdict' on a trivial matter. For instance, after your friend tastes a cake you baked, you could say: 'Alors, quel est ton verdict ?'. This usage is common and adds a touch of playful drama to the interaction. It suggests that you value their opinion as if it were an official ruling.

The word verdict is omnipresent in French media, particularly in news broadcasts and documentaries. If you turn on a news channel like BFM TV or France 24, you are almost guaranteed to hear it during segments on crime, politics, or major sporting events. It is a 'headline' word—it grabs attention because it promises a definitive answer to a long-standing question.

Television News
Journalists use it to summarize the outcome of high-profile court cases. You will hear phrases like 'Le verdict est attendu ce soir' (The verdict is expected tonight).

En direct du palais de justice, nous attendons le verdict final du procès fleuve.

In the world of French sports, verdict is used to describe the outcome of a match or a season, especially when it involves a ranking or a disqualification. If a player is injured, the 'verdict' of the MRI scan is a common topic of discussion among fans and commentators. It represents the objective medical reality that determines the player's future.

Sports Commentary
Used when the final score or a referee's decision (after VAR review) is announced. 'Le verdict de l'arbitrage vidéo est sans appel : pas de penalty.'

Reality TV and competition shows are another prime location for this word. In shows like Danse avec les stars or Le Meilleur Pâtissier, the host will often pause for dramatic effect before saying, 'Voici le verdict...' (Here is the verdict...). This builds tension and signals to the audience that the moment of elimination has arrived.

Workplace and Corporate Life
In business, it might refer to the outcome of a tender or a performance review. 'Le verdict de la direction est tombé : nous n'aurons pas de bonus cette année.'

Après l'entretien, j'ai dû attendre deux semaines pour avoir le verdict des ressources humaines.

Finally, literature and cinema use the word to provide a sense of closure. A character might face a 'verdict' from fate or a higher power. In French culture, which values intellectual rigor and clear conclusions, the 'verdict' is the necessary end-point of any serious discussion or process.

While verdict is a cognate (it looks like the English word), there are several pitfalls that learners often encounter. The most significant mistakes relate to pronunciation, gender, and confusing it with similar legal terms.

Pronunciation Error
Many learners assume the 't' or 'ct' is silent, as is common in many French words (like chat or respect). However, in verdict, the 'c' and 't' are both clearly pronounced: /vɛʁ.dikt/. Saying 'ver-dee' is a common mistake.

Répétez après moi : ver-dikt. Ne dites pas ver-di.

Another frequent error is the gender of the noun. Because many abstract nouns ending in 'ion' or 'e' are feminine, learners sometimes mistakenly say la verdict. It is strictly masculine: un verdict, le verdict, ce verdict.

Confusion with 'Sentence'
In English, 'sentence' can mean the verdict. In French, une sentence is specifically the penalty or punishment (e.g., five years in prison). The verdict is the decision of guilt or innocence.

Learners also tend to use verdict too lightly. While it can be used for a friend's opinion on a meal, using it for every small decision can sound overly dramatic or clinical. Reserve it for when a decision feels final or when there has been a period of waiting. For a simple choice, décision or choix is usually better.

Confusion with 'Jugement'
Le jugement is the broader term for the court's entire ruling, including the reasoning. Le verdict is specifically the jury's 'yes' or 'no' on the charges.

Correct : Le juge a lu le verdict. Incorrect : Le verdict du juge est de cinq ans. (That would be the sentence).

Finally, be careful with the plural. While des verdicts exists, it is rarely used because a single trial or situation usually produces only one verdict. If you are talking about multiple cases, ensure you keep the noun masculine: les verdicts rendus.

To enrich your French vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to verdict but carry slightly different nuances. Depending on whether you are in a legal, professional, or casual setting, you might choose one of the following alternatives.

Le Jugement
This is the most direct synonym. It refers to the act of judging or the decision itself. It is less dramatic than verdict and more common in civil law (where there is no jury).

Le jugement sera rendu par le tribunal de grande instance la semaine prochaine.

If you are talking about a formal legal decision from a high court (like the Cour de Cassation), the word arrêt is used. This is a very specific legal term that you will see in law textbooks and formal news reports.

La Sentence
As mentioned before, this focuses on the punishment. However, in a literary context, it can also mean a moral maxim or a wise saying. In modern usage, it often sounds more severe and final than verdict.

La décision du comité a été unanime : nous changeons de stratégie.

In a scientific or medical context, you might use conclusion or résultat. While verdict is used for dramatic effect in medicine ('le verdict du scanner'), le résultat is the neutral, factual term. If you want to sound objective, stick with résultat.

L'Arbitrage
This refers to a decision made by an arbitrator or a referee. It is common in international law and sports. It implies a resolution between two conflicting parties by a neutral third party.

Finally, for a simple opinion, you can use avis. When you ask someone, 'Quel est ton avis ?', you are asking for their thoughts. When you ask, 'Quel est ton verdict ?', you are asking for their final, bottom-line conclusion after they have weighed all the evidence.

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Le verdict est oui.

The verdict is yes.

Simple subject + verb 'être' + answer.

2

J'attends le verdict.

I am waiting for the verdict.

Verb 'attendre' is commonly used with 'verdict'.

3

C'est un verdict final.

It is a final verdict.

'Verdict' is masculine, so we use 'un'.

4

Quel est le verdict ?

What is the verdict?

Interrogative sentence using 'quel'.

5

Le verdict est bon.

The verdict is good.

Adjective 'bon' agrees with masculine 'verdict'.

6

Voici le verdict.

Here is the verdict.

'Voici' introduces the noun.

7

Le verdict est non.

The verdict is no.

Simple negation of a result.

8

Le verdict arrive.

The verdict is coming.

Present tense of 'arriver'.

1

Le verdict du médecin est tombé ce matin.

The doctor's verdict came out this morning.

The idiom 'le verdict est tombé' is common at this level.

2

Nous attendons le verdict du match.

We are waiting for the verdict of the match.

Using 'verdict' for sports results.

3

Le verdict est sévère pour l'équipe.

The verdict is harsh for the team.

Adjective 'sévère' modifies 'verdict'.

4

Il a accepté le verdict avec calme.

He accepted the verdict calmly.

Verb 'accepter' + noun + prepositional phrase.

5

Le verdict sera rendu demain à midi.

The verdict will be rendered tomorrow at noon.

Future passive construction 'sera rendu'.

6

C'est un verdict juste et équitable.

It is a fair and equitable verdict.

Two adjectives following the noun.

7

Le verdict des juges a surpris tout le monde.

The judges' verdict surprised everyone.

Possessive 'des juges' using 'de'.

8

On attend le verdict de la compétition.

We are waiting for the verdict of the competition.

Indefinite pronoun 'on' as the subject.

1

Après délibération, le jury a rendu son verdict.

After deliberation, the jury rendered its verdict.

Use of 'rendre son verdict' in a legal context.

2

Le verdict des urnes a confirmé la victoire du maire.

The verdict of the ballot boxes confirmed the mayor's victory.

Metaphorical use in politics.

3

Le verdict est sans appel, le projet est rejeté.

The verdict is final, the project is rejected.

The expression 'sans appel' means 'final' or 'cannot be appealed'.

4

On redoute le verdict de l'expertise médicale.

We fear the verdict of the medical expertise.

Verb 'redouter' (to fear) adds emotional depth.

5

Le verdict a été accueilli par des cris de joie.

The verdict was greeted with shouts of joy.

Passive voice 'a été accueilli'.

6

Quel est votre verdict sur cette nouvelle proposition ?

What is your verdict on this new proposal?

Professional use of 'verdict' for an opinion.

7

Le verdict clément a permis au jeune homme de repartir.

The lenient verdict allowed the young man to leave.

Adjective 'clément' (lenient).

8

Le verdict de la presse a été très critique.

The press's verdict was very critical.

Using 'verdict' for media reviews.

1

Le verdict populaire ne correspond pas toujours à la réalité juridique.

The popular verdict does not always correspond to legal reality.

Abstract discussion comparing public opinion and law.

2

Il faut attendre le verdict définitif avant de se prononcer.

We must wait for the final verdict before taking a stand.

Infinitive construction after 'il faut'.

3

Le verdict a mis en lumière les failles du système.

The verdict highlighted the flaws in the system.

Metaphorical 'mettre en lumière' (to highlight).

4

Le verdict de culpabilité a été prononcé à l'unanimité.

The guilty verdict was pronounced unanimously.

'À l'unanimité' (unanimously) is a formal adverbial phrase.

5

On ne peut pas contester le verdict de l'histoire.

One cannot contest the verdict of history.

Philosophical use of 'verdict'.

6

Le verdict de la balance est souvent cruel après les fêtes.

The scale's verdict is often cruel after the holidays.

Common humorous use regarding weight.

7

Le verdict de la Commission européenne est très attendu.

The European Commission's verdict is eagerly awaited.

Institutional use of 'verdict'.

8

Le verdict a provoqué une vague d'indignation dans le pays.

The verdict caused a wave of indignation in the country.

'Provoquer une vague de' is a high-level collocation.

1

L'irrévocabilité du verdict souligne la solennité de l'institution judiciaire.

The irrevocability of the verdict underscores the solemnity of the judicial institution.

Complex noun phrase with abstract qualities.

2

Le verdict, bien que techniquement irréprochable, soulève des questions éthiques.

The verdict, though technically flawless, raises ethical questions.

Concessive clause 'bien que' with an adjective.

3

Le verdict de la postérité sera seul juge de son œuvre.

The verdict of posterity will be the sole judge of his work.

Literary use of 'postérité' (future generations).

4

Il a fallu des mois d'enquête pour aboutir à ce verdict accablant.

It took months of investigation to reach this damning verdict.

Adjective 'accablant' (overwhelming/damning).

5

Le verdict a été cassé en appel pour vice de procédure.

The verdict was overturned on appeal due to a procedural error.

Technical legal term 'cassé' (overturned).

6

Le verdict de la science est formel : le climat change rapidement.

The verdict of science is formal: the climate is changing rapidly.

Using 'verdict' to describe absolute scientific consensus.

7

Le verdict a été rendu à huis clos pour protéger les mineurs.

The verdict was rendered behind closed doors to protect the minors.

'À huis clos' (behind closed doors) is a formal legal phrase.

8

Le verdict final a mis un terme à des années de litige.

The final verdict put an end to years of litigation.

'Mettre un terme à' (to put an end to).

1

Le verdict s'apparente ici à une catharsis pour les victimes du drame.

The verdict here is akin to a catharsis for the victims of the tragedy.

Psychological and philosophical analysis using 's'apparenter à'.

2

L'énoncé du verdict a été suivi d'un silence de plomb dans la salle.

The announcement of the verdict was followed by a leaden silence in the room.

Metaphorical 'silence de plomb' (heavy silence).

3

Le verdict, par sa sévérité, se veut exemplaire pour la société.

The verdict, through its severity, aims to be exemplary for society.

Reflexive 'se veut' (aims to be/intends to be).

4

Le verdict de la conscience est parfois plus dur que celui des hommes.

The verdict of conscience is sometimes harder than that of men.

Comparison between internal and external judgment.

5

Le verdict a été différé en raison de nouveaux éléments probants.

The verdict was deferred due to new probative evidence.

Formal verb 'différé' (postponed) and 'probant' (convincing/probative).

6

Le verdict repose sur une interprétation stricte du code pénal.

The verdict is based on a strict interpretation of the penal code.

Verb 'reposer sur' (to be based on).

7

Le verdict a été accueilli avec une réserve prudente par les analystes.

The verdict was greeted with cautious reserve by analysts.

Nuanced description of a reaction.

8

Le verdict final cristallise les tensions accumulées durant le procès.

The final verdict crystallizes the tensions accumulated during the trial.

Metaphorical use of 'cristalliser'.

Common Collocations

verdict final
verdict sans appel
le verdict tombe
rendre un verdict
verdict clément
verdict sévère
attendre le verdict
verdict unanime
verdict des urnes
verdict médical

Common Phrases

Quel est le verdict ?

— Used to ask for a final opinion or result in any situation.

Alors, pour le gâteau, quel est le verdict ?

Le verdict est sans appel.

— The decision is final and cannot be changed or challenged.

Le verdict est sans appel : vous êtes éliminé.

En attendant le verdict...

— While waiting for the final decision to be made.

En attendant le verdict, nous restons prudents.

Le verdict des experts.

— The official opinion given by specialists in a field.

Le verdict des experts est attendu demain.

Accepter le verdict.

— To come to terms with a decision, even if it is negative.

Il a dû accepter le verdict malgré sa colère.

Contester le verdict.

— To challenge or disagree with a decision officially.

L'avocat a décidé de contester le verdict.

Le verdict est tombé.

— The decision has been announced (usually with dramatic effect).

Le verdict est tombé : le magasin va fermer.

Donner son verdict.

— To express one's final judgment on a matter.

Le critique a donné son verdict sur le film.

Un verdict de culpabilité.

— A formal finding that someone is guilty.

Le jury a prononcé un verdict de culpabilité.

Un verdict d'acquittement.

— A formal finding that someone is not guilty.

Le verdict d'acquittement a été une surprise.

Idioms & Expressions

"Le verdict des urnes"

— The outcome of an election decided by voters.

Le verdict des urnes a changé le gouvernement.

journalistic
"Le verdict de la balance"

— The result shown on a weighing scale (often humorous).

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!