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.
to legalize
To officially certify the authenticity of a signature or document so that it is legally recognized abroad.
Für die Heirat im Ausland musste sie ihre Geburtsurkunde übersetzen und legalisieren lassen.
For the marriage abroad, she had to have her birth certificate translated and 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 legitimize / to identify oneself
Legitimieren means recognizing something as lawful or justified, or giving it a legal or moral basis. Legalisieren more specifically means allowing something that was previously prohibited by law through a new law. Here, only legalisieren clearly refers to changing whether something is legally permitted.
Ein neues Gesetz legalisierte die bisher verbotene Tätigkeit.
A new law legalized the activity that had previously been prohibited.
Eine öffentliche Abstimmung legitimierte die umstrittene Maßnahme politisch.
A public vote politically legitimized the controversial measure.
