unauthorized / unjustified
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unauthorized
Describes a person or action that has no permission, authority, or legal basis.
Unberechtigt geparkte Fahrzeuge werden kostenpflichtig abgeschleppt.
Unauthorized parked vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.
unjustified
Describes an accusation, criticism, or worry that is not justified or well-founded.
Seine Angst vor einer Kündigung war völlig unberechtigt.
His fear of being dismissed was completely unjustified.
The word consists of the prefix 'un-' (not) and 'berechtigt' (authorized/entitled). 'Berechtigt' comes from 'das Recht' (the right/law) and means that you have the right or permission for something. 'Unberechtigt' (unauthorized/unjustified) is therefore the exact opposite.
Er hatte das Gefühl, unberechtigt hier zu sein.
He had the feeling that he was unauthorized to be here.
The meaning depends on the word it refers to. If 'unberechtigt' (unauthorized) refers to people or their actions (e.g. access, use), it means 'without permission'. If it refers to abstract things (e.g. criticism, concern), it means 'unjustified'.
Unberechtigte Personen haben hier keinen Zutritt.
Unauthorized persons have no access here.
In the meaning 'without permission', the structure 'unberechtigt sein, etwas zu tun' (to be unauthorized to do something) is often used. It expresses that a person lacks the authority to perform an action.
Sie sind unberechtigt, diese Akte zu lesen.
You are not authorized to read this file.
In the meaning 'not justified', the adjective is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Vorwurf' (accusation), 'Kritik' (criticism), 'Angst' (fear), 'Sorge' (worry), or 'Forderung' (demand).
Der Vorwurf war unberechtigt und konnte schnell geklärt werden.
The accusation was unjustified and was quickly cleared up.
unfounded
When describing criticism, a demand, or an accusation, unbegründet and unberechtigt can seem similar. Unbegründet emphasizes that there are no understandable reasons or supporting evidence, whereas unberechtigt evaluates something as lacking justification or entitlement. Use unbegründet when arguments are missing and unberechtigt when something lacks authorization or justification.
Die Forderung nach einer zusätzlichen Zahlung ist unberechtigt, weil dafür keine Rechtfertigung besteht.
The demand for an additional payment is unjustified because there is no justification for it.
Die Kritik an meinem Bericht ist unbegründet, weil sie keine konkreten Fehler nennt.
The criticism of my report is unfounded because it does not identify any specific errors.
