die  Rechtfertigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁɛçtˈfɛʁtɪɡʊŋ/

🧐 What exactly is 'die Rechtfertigung'?

Die Rechtfertigung (feminine noun, plural: die Rechtfertigungen) describes the act of justifying something or the result of that act – meaning a reason, rationale, excuse, or justification presented to show that a behavior, action, statement, or situation is legitimate, appropriate, or necessary.

It can refer both to the argumentation used for defense and to the reason itself that legitimizes the action.

• Meaning 1: The act of giving reasons for or defending an action/statement.
• Meaning 2: The reason or argument itself, serving as proof of legitimacy.

⚠️ Caution: Although often used synonymously with 'Begründung' (reasoning, grounds), 'Rechtfertigung' can sometimes carry a stronger undertone of defense against an (implicit) accusation than a neutral 'Begründung'. An 'Ausrede' is often a flimsy or dishonest justification (an excuse).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of 'die Rechtfertigung' in Detail

The word die Rechtfertigung is a feminine noun. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, it uses the article “die”.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Er suchte nach einer plausiblen Rechtfertigung für sein Zuspätkommen.
   He looked for a plausible justification for being late.
2. Die Rechtfertigung des Ministers überzeugte nicht alle Abgeordneten.
   The minister's justification did not convince all members of parliament.
3. Trotz langer Suche fand er keine Rechtfertigung für sein Handeln.
   Despite a long search, he found no justification for his actions.
4. Die Anwältin prüfte die Rechtfertigungen des Angeklagten.
   The lawyer examined the defendant's justifications.
5. Die ethische Rechtfertigung dieser Maßnahme steht in Frage.
   The ethical justification for this measure is questionable.

🗣️ How 'die Rechtfertigung' is Used

Die Rechtfertigung is used in various contexts:

• Everyday Life: Often as an explanation or excuse for behavior or a decision. Example: Seine Rechtfertigung für die Verspätung war der Stau. (His justification for being late was the traffic jam.)
• At Work: To justify decisions, expenses, or projects to superiors or colleagues. Example: Wir benötigen eine schriftliche Rechtfertigung für diese Budgetüberschreitung. (We need a written justification for this budget overrun.)
• In Law and Politics: As a formal rationale for laws, judgments, or political actions. Often concerns legitimacy and legal or ethical grounds. Example: Die Rechtfertigung für den Militäreinsatz wurde international diskutiert. (The justification for the military intervention was discussed internationally.)
• In Philosophy and Ethics: As argumentation why a certain action is morally permissible or required. Example: Die philosophische Rechtfertigung der Menschenrechte. (The philosophical justification of human rights.)

Differences from similar words:

• Begründung: Often more neutral, simply stating the reasons. (Die Begründung für den Neubau war der Platzmangel. - The reason for the new building was lack of space.)
• Ausrede: Usually has negative connotations, often a flimsy or dishonest explanation to avoid blame or responsibility. (Das war doch nur eine faule Ausrede! - That was just a lame excuse!)
• Entschuldigung: Can include a justification, but primarily expresses regret and asks for forgiveness (an apology).

🧠 Mnemonics for Rechtfertigung

Article Mnemonic: The ending "-ung" makes it feminine! Remember the rule: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine, so it's die Rechtfertigung, just like die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution), die Hoffnung (hope).

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of "making something right/just". Recht means right or just, and fertigen relates to making or producing. So, a Rechtfertigung is the *'making right'* or the argument *produced* to show something is right/justified.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Rechtfertigung

Similar but different words:

• Rechtsprechung: Jurisprudence, administration of justice. Refers to the activity of courts, not personal justification.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum braucht ein Buchhalter immer eine gute Rechtfertigung?

Damit am Ende alles seine Richtigkeit hat!

Why does an accountant always need a good justification?

So that everything is 'in order' / 'correct' in the end! (Play on 'Richtigkeit' meaning correctness/accuracy)

📜 Poem about Justification

Ein Fehltritt schnell, ein Wort zu viel,
Schon braucht's ein klares Argumentationsziel.
Die Frage kommt, das „Warum nur?“
Dann sucht man schnell auf weiter Flur
Nach einem Grund, der hält und trägt,
Der Zweifel sät und Fragen schlägt.
Die Rechtfertigung, mal stark, mal schwach,
Hält oft nur kurz dem Urteil wach.

--- English Translation ---

A quick misstep, a word too much,
Soon needs a clear argumentative touch.
The question comes, the "Why, oh why?"
Then searching wide, beneath the sky,
For reasons strong, that hold and bear,
That sow some doubt and beat down care.
The justification, strong or weak,
Briefly resists the judgment speak.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin der Grund, den man erfindet oder nennt,
Wenn man für sein Tun keine Tadel kennt.
Mal bin ich ehrlich, mal nur Schein,
Oft folge ich auf Schuld und Pein.
Mit mir versucht man, sich zu entlasten,
Will vor Kritik und Vorwurf rasten.

Was bin ich?

--- English Translation ---

I am the reason, invented or stated,
When for one's actions, no blame is awaited.
Sometimes I'm honest, sometimes just show,
Often I follow guilt and woe.
With me, one tries to find relief,
To rest from criticism and grief.

What am I?

Solution: die Rechtfertigung (the justification)

🌐 Further Details

Word Composition:

The word Rechtfertigung is a noun derived from the verb rechtfertigen. This verb itself is composed of:

• Recht: Meaning 'right', 'just', 'legitimate'.
• fertigen: An older word for 'to make', 'to produce'.

Together, „rechtfertigen“ originally meant something like *'to make or present something as right/just'*.

The ending -ung is a common suffix in German used to form nouns from verbs, typically denoting the process or result of the action. These nouns are almost always feminine.

Related Terms:

• gerecht: adjective - fair, just.
• rechtfertigen: verb - to justify, to give reasons for.
• gerechtfertigt: adjective/past participle - justified, legitimate.