裁判 (cái pàn) is a noun meaning 'referee' or 'judge'—a person who officially oversees and enforces rules during competitions, games, or legal proceedings. The first character 裁 (cái) means 'to cut, decide, or adjudicate', suggesting authority to make final rulings; the second character 判 (pàn) means 'to judge, distinguish, or determine', reinforcing the idea of impartial evaluation. Together, they form a compound that emphasizes formal, rule-based decision-making.

This word is commonly used in sports contexts (e.g., football, basketball), legal settings (e.g., arbitration or court proceedings), and even metaphorically for someone who settles disputes. While it can refer to both sports officials and judicial judges, context determines whether the sense is athletic or legal. It is neutral in register and widely understood across mainland China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions.