to be responsible for / justify
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to be responsible for
To bear responsibility for something, usually something negative, and face the consequences.
Der Projektleiter muss die Verzögerungen und die zusätzlichen Kosten verantworten.
The project manager must be responsible for the delays and the additional costs.
The verb 'verantworten' (to be responsible for / justify) is derived directly from the noun 'die Verantwortung' (responsibility). It describes the act of bearing the consequences for something or justifying oneself for it.
Als Eltern trägt man die Verantwortung für seine Kinder.
As parents, you bear responsibility for your children.
'Verantworten' (to be responsible for / justify) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' is not separated from the verb stem, not even in the past participle (verantwortet).
Er hat sein Handeln stets verantwortet.
He has always taken responsibility for his actions.
In this meaning, 'verantworten' (to be responsible for) is always used with an accusative object. This object is usually something negative, such as a mistake, a problem, or damage.
Der Minister musste den Skandal vor der Presse verantworten.
The minister had to answer for the scandal in front of the press.
This meaning is always used reflexively: 'sich verantworten' (to answer for oneself). It is often expanded with the preposition 'vor' to indicate the authority before whom one must justify oneself.
Der Angeklagte musste sich vor Gericht verantworten.
The defendant had to answer for himself in court.
This meaning is almost always used with the modal verb 'können' (can) and often in the negative. It is about whether an action is morally acceptable.
Er konnte es mit seinem Gewissen nicht verantworten, die Unwahrheit zu sagen.
He could not justify lying to his conscience.
to wear / carry
'tragen' and 'verantworten' can both have to do with responsibility and consequences. 'Verantwortung tragen' (to bear responsibility) is a general expression: someone takes on a task, costs, or consequences. 'Etwas verantworten' sounds more direct and often more serious. It means that someone has to answer for something, especially when something has gone wrong. Learners may confuse the words because 'Verantwortung tragen' and 'etwas verantworten' sound similar. As a guide: you bear responsibility or costs, but you are responsible for a decision, a mistake, or damage.
Der Chef muss den Fehler vor der Geschäftsleitung verantworten.
The boss has to answer for the mistake in front of senior management.
Im Projekt trägt Lena die Verantwortung für die Termine.
In the project, Lena is responsible for the deadlines.