Justifica

Justifica is a common verb form in Spanish, derived from justificar, meaning to justify or to give reasons. It appears as the third-person singular present indicative: “él justifica” or “ella justifica,” and as the formal second-person present: “usted justifica.” It also serves as the affirmative tú imperative: “justifica” (Justify this). In everyday Spanish, the form indicates that someone provides reasons, explanations, or defense for a claim, action, or decision. The noun corresponding to the act is justificación.

Etymology and origin: The verb justificar comes from Latin iustificare, from iustus meaning just or lawful, and facere meaning to make or to do. Over time its senses broadened from rendering something just or lawful to providing justification or proof for a claim, action, or belief. The related noun justificación is widely used in law, ethics, and everyday discourse.

Semantics and usage: In law, ethics, and everyday discourse, justification refers to reasons that make an action acceptable or lawful. In philosophy and epistemology, justification underpins the justification of beliefs, distinguishing warranted belief from mere opinion. In common language, a justification is the rational basis or explanation offered to support a stance, decision, or behavior.

Typography and computing: In typography, justification (texto justificado) is the alignment of text to both left and right margins, adjusting inter-word spacing and, at times, hyphenation to create a smooth right edge. In computing and web design, CSS and word processors offer text-align: justify or justification options to achieve this effect, balancing readability with potential issues like uneven spacing or rivers of whitespace.