justified / entitled
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justified
Being well-founded, justified, or legitimate. Often refers to questions, concerns, or criticism.
Deine Kritik ist berechtigt, das hätten wir besser machen müssen.
Your criticism is justified; we should have done that better.
entitled to
To have the right or permission to do or receive something.
Mit dieser Karte sind Sie berechtigt, kostenlos im Parkhaus zu parken.
With this card, you are entitled to park in the parking garage for free.
'Berechtigt' (justified / entitled) comes from the noun 'das Recht' (the right/law). Something that is 'berechtigt' has a lawful or good justification. A person who is 'berechtigt' has the right to do something.
Das ist eine berechtigte Frage.
That is a justified question.
You can recognize the meaning from the sentence structure. If 'berechtigt' stands alone with a noun (e.g. 'berechtigte Kritik' (justified criticism)), it means 'gerechtfertigt' (justified). If it is followed by 'zu + infinitive', it means 'die Erlaubnis haben' (to have permission).
Ihre Sorge ist durchaus berechtigt.
Her concern is entirely justified.
In the meaning 'die Erlaubnis haben' (to have permission), 'berechtigt sein' is almost always followed by a construction with 'zu'. This can be an infinitive with 'zu' or 'zu + noun'.
Studenten sind berechtigt, die Bibliothek kostenlos zu nutzen.
Students are entitled to use the library for free.
In the meaning 'gerechtfertigt' (justified), 'berechtigt' is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Frage' (question), 'Kritik' (criticism), 'Zweifel' (doubt), 'Hoffnung' (hope), or 'Sorge' (concern).
Er hatte berechtigte Zweifel am Erfolg des Plans.
He had justified doubts about the success of the plan.
deserved
Berechtigt and verdient can both express a positive evaluation when talking about criticism. Berechtigt mainly describes criticism as being well-founded in terms of its content; verdient emphasizes that the person concerned brought it on themselves through their behavior. If the reason is objectively appropriate, the criticism is berechtigt; if someone caused it through their behavior, it can be verdient.
Die Kritik an der langen Wartezeit ist berechtigt, weil die Informationen fehlten.
The criticism of the long wait is justified because the information was missing.
Nach seinem wiederholten Zuspätkommen ist die Kritik an ihm verdient.
After repeatedly arriving late, the criticism directed at him is deserved.
