verb

beurteilen

judge · assess

Etwas genau ansehen und dann sagen, wie gut, richtig oder wichtig es ist.

Definition & meaning

Beurteilen means to assess, evaluate, or form an opinion about someone or something, often by considering relevant facts or qualities. It can refer to a reasoned judgment rather than a simple impression.

It may also mean to consider someone or something in a particular way, as in judging a person by their actions.

Die Lage beurteilen — to assess the situation.
Jemanden nach seinem Verhalten beurteilen — to judge someone by their behavior.

Grammar & Word origin

Beurteilen is a regular, transitive verb: it normally takes a direct object.

Infinitive: beurteilen
Present: er/sie beurteilt
Simple past: beurteilte
Present perfect: hat beurteilt

The verb is formed from the prefix be- and the noun Urteil , meaning “judgment” or “verdict,” plus the verb ending -en. The prefix be- makes the verb act on an object: you assess something or someone.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

einschätzen — to estimate or assess. It often emphasizes forming an estimate, sometimes with limited information.
bewerten — to evaluate or rate. It can suggest assigning a value, score, or rating.
begutachten — to examine or appraise, often in a more formal or expert context.

Antonyms

There is no exact single-word antonym. Depending on context:

ignorieren — to ignore; unlike beurteilen, it means not to consider or assess something.
übersehen — to overlook; it suggests failing to notice something rather than deliberately evaluating it.