to legalize
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to legalize
To allow something that was previously prohibited by law through a new law and make it legally permissible.
In dem Land wird derzeit eine Debatte darüber geführt, ob man Cannabis legalisieren sollte.
A debate is currently being held in the country about whether cannabis should be legalized.
'Legalisieren' (to legalize) is derived from the adjective 'legal' and has the ending '-isieren'. Verbs ending in '-ieren' or '-isieren' are often borrowed from other languages, are regular, and form their past participle without 'ge-' ('legalisiert', legalized).
Die Regierung hat den Online-Handel mit Medikamenten legalisiert.
The government legalized the online trade in medicines.
You can recognize the meaning from the object: If it is about a law or a practice (e.g., cannabis, abortion), it means 'to allow by law'. If it is about a document or a signature, it means 'to officially certify'.
Viele Bürger hoffen, dass die Regierung die Ehe für alle legalisiert.
Many citizens hope that the government will legalize marriage for all.
In the meaning 'to certify', the structure 'etwas legalisieren lassen' (to have something legalized) is often used. This means that you do not carry out the certification yourself, but ask an authority to do it.
Für das Visum muss man eine Kopie des Passes legalisieren lassen.
For the visa, you have to have a copy of your passport legalized.
to confirm
'bestätigen' and 'legalisieren' can both refer to official documents or decisions. 'bestätigen' generally means that something is assured to be correct or valid. 'legalisieren' is narrower: either something is allowed by law that was previously forbidden, or the authenticity of a document is officially certified so that, for example, it is recognized abroad. Learners may confuse the words because both sound official. But 'legalisieren' always has a clear legal connection; 'bestätigen' is much more general.
Für die Arbeit im Ausland lässt sie ihr Zeugnis legalisieren.
For work abroad, she has her certificate legalized.
Das Amt bestätigt den Eingang des Antrags per E-Mail.
The office confirms receipt of the application by email.