审判 (shěn pàn) literally combines 审 (shěn), meaning 'to examine' or 'to investigate', and 判 (pàn), meaning 'to judge' or 'to decide'. Together, they form a formal term referring to the legal process in which a court examines evidence, hears arguments, and delivers a verdict — that is, a judicial trial. It emphasizes official, institutional adjudication rather than personal judgment.

This word is used almost exclusively in legal, governmental, or news contexts — for example, when discussing court proceedings, criminal cases, or constitutional review. It carries serious, authoritative connotations and is rarely used metaphorically. While it can function as both a noun ('the trial') and a verb ('to try [a case]'), it never appears in casual speech or informal writing. Its usage reflects China’s civil law tradition, where trials are conducted by professional judges rather than juries.