裁判所

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 裁判所 is read as さいばんしょ and is a noun for a court as an institution or the courthouse in which it operates.
• Basic usage: Visiting the building appears in 裁判所を訪れる, while testimony appears in 裁判所で証言する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Institution and building
  • It can denote the judicial institution or the physical courthouse occupied by it.
• Difference from 法廷
  • 法廷 is the courtroom where proceedings take place; 裁判所 is the court institution or courthouse as a whole.