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.
to answer for oneself
To have to justify oneself or one's actions before an authority, such as a court or a superior.
Wegen des schweren Fehlers musste sich der Mitarbeiter vor der Geschäftsleitung verantworten.
Because of the serious mistake, the employee had to answer for himself before the management.
to justify something
To be able to reconcile an action with one's own conscience or moral values.
Ich kann es nicht verantworten, die Umwelt durch mein Handeln weiter zu belasten.
I cannot justify continuing to harm the environment through my actions.
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
Both verbs refer to responsibility for something. Verantwortung tragen describes who is generally responsible for it. Eine Entscheidung verantworten means being answerable for that specific decision and its consequences, especially when it is problematic.
Die Leiterin muss die umstrittene Entscheidung verantworten.
The manager must answer for the controversial decision.
Die Leiterin trägt die Verantwortung für die Entscheidung.
The manager bears responsibility for the decision.
