justification
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justification
A reason or explanation that makes an action, decision, or opinion seem right, reasonable, or necessary.
Für sein unhöfliches Verhalten gab es keinerlei Rechtfertigung.
There was absolutely no justification for his rude behavior.
justification
A central concept in Christian theology that describes the act by which a person is declared righteous before God.
Die Lehre von der Rechtfertigung allein aus Glauben ist ein Kernpunkt der protestantischen Theologie.
The doctrine of justification by faith alone is a core point of Protestant theology.
The word is made up of 'Recht' (right/law) and 'fertigen' (to make/produce). 'Etwas recht fertigen' means to present something as right or just. A 'Rechtfertigung' (justification) is therefore the attempt to prove an action as legitimate.
Er suchte nach einer Rechtfertigung für seine Verspätung.
He looked for a justification for his lateness.
'Die Rechtfertigung' (justification) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'sich rechtfertigen' (to justify oneself). When a person justifies themselves, they give a justification for their actions.
Er musste sich vor seinem Chef für den Fehler rechtfertigen.
He had to justify himself to his boss for the mistake.
When naming the reason or matter for which a justification applies, German uses the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative.
Es gibt keine Rechtfertigung für ein solches Verhalten.
There is no justification for such behavior.
You can recognize the theological meaning from a religious context. Words like 'Gott' (God), 'Glaube' (faith), 'Sünde' (sin), or 'Gnade' (grace) make it clear that this is not about an everyday excuse.
In der Vorlesung ging es um die Rechtfertigungslehre bei Martin Luther.
The lecture was about Martin Luther's doctrine of justification.
explanation / statement
An Erklärung makes it understandable why someone acted that way without necessarily presenting the action as right. A Rechtfertigung, by contrast, is meant to make the criticized action seem right, reasonable, or necessary. If you only give the causes, you explain; if you defend the action, you justify it.
Als Rechtfertigung für sein Zuspätkommen betonte Paul, dass er trotz des ausgefallenen Busses sofort ein Taxi gerufen hatte.
As a justification for being late, Paul emphasized that he had called a taxi immediately despite the bus breaking down.
Als Erklärung für sein Zuspätkommen nannte Paul den ausgefallenen Bus.
Paul cited the bus that had broken down as an explanation for being late.
