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.
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 explain / declare
'erklären' and 'rechtfertigen' both have to do with reasons. You use 'erklären' when you want to make something understandable. This can be completely neutral. You use 'rechtfertigen' when an action, decision, or statement is being defended, especially when there is criticism. The words can be confused because when justifying something, you often also explain something. The difference is: explaining answers the question 'Why is it like that?'. Justifying answers more like 'Why was that right or allowed?'.
Mein Vater rechtfertigt morgen seine Entscheidung, weil die Familie sie nicht versteht.
Tomorrow my father will justify his decision because the family does not understand it.
Vor dem Termin erklärt der Gast dem Arzt seine Beschwerden.
Before the appointment, the guest explains his symptoms to the doctor.