justificar
verbCEFR B2
What does “justificar” mean in English?
to justify, to give reasons for
to justify, to give reasons for (justificar una decisión — show or prove that something is right or reasonable with evidence or argument)
Example sentences
El director tuvo que justificar ante la junta directiva el aumento del presupuesto para el departamento de I+D.
The director had to justify the budget increase for the R&D department before the board of directors.
Nada puede justificar el uso de la violencia como instrumento de presión política en una sociedad democrática.
Nothing can justify the use of violence as an instrument of political pressure in a democratic society.
No necesitas justificarte conmigo: entiendo perfectamente por qué tomaste esa decisión en ese momento.
You don't need to justify yourself to me: I perfectly understand why you made that decision at that moment.
How to use it
Justificar means 'to justify' or 'to explain/account for'. Structure: justificar algo (justify something), justificar que + subjunctive (justify that...). The reflexive justificarse means 'to justify oneself' — often with a defensive connotation. Key B2 collocations: justificar una decisión/medida/gasto, justificar un retraso. Discourse use: 'como se puede justificar' (as can be justified). Don't confuse with explicar (explain — neutral clarification) or defender (defend — argue in favour of).
Common mistake
Justificar (provide reasons that make something acceptable or necessary) vs. explicar (provide a neutral account of why something happened). 'Explicó su decisión' (he explained his decision — neutral). 'Justificó su decisión' (he justified his decision — argued it was right). The moral/normative element is present in justificar.