to justify
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to justify
To provide good reasons for an action, decision, or statement in order to prove that it was right, necessary, or acceptable.
Der hohe Preis des Produkts wird durch die ausgezeichnete Qualität gerechtfertigt.
The product's high price is justified by its excellent quality.
to justify oneself
To defend one's own actions or decisions by explaining the reasons for them, especially in response to criticism or an accusation.
Du musst dich nicht für deine Entscheidung rechtfertigen, es war deine Wahl.
You don't have to justify yourself for your decision; it was your choice.
The verb 'rechtfertigen' (to justify) is made up of 'Recht' (right/law) and 'fertigen' (to make/produce). So it literally means to 'produce' or prove an entitlement or good reason for something.
Er versuchte, sein Zuspätkommen zu rechtfertigen.
He tried to justify being late.
'Rechtfertigen' (to justify) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'recht-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all conjugated forms and sentence positions.
Sie rechtfertigte ihre Entscheidung vor dem Ausschuss.
She justified her decision before the committee.
When a person defends themselves, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich rechtfertigen' (to justify oneself). The reason or occasion for the justification is connected with the preposition 'für' and the accusative.
Er musste sich für sein Verhalten rechtfertigen.
He had to justify himself for his behavior.
When something justifies another thing, the reason is the subject and the thing being justified is the accusative object. So the structure is: reason (subject) + rechtfertigt + thing (object).
Der Erfolg rechtfertigt den hohen Aufwand.
The success justifies the high effort.
to defend
Both verbs can be used when reacting to criticism of a decision. sich rechtfertigen focuses on explaining the reasons, while sich verteidigen places more emphasis on fending off objections or accusations. Use rechtfertigen for explaining and verteidigen in response to a direct attack.
Der Direktor rechtfertigte seine Entscheidung mit den notwendigen Reparaturen.
The director justified his decision by citing the necessary repairs.
Der Direktor verteidigte seine Entscheidung gegen den schweren Vorwurf der Verschwendung.
The director defended his decision against the serious accusation of wastefulness.
