Rettferdiggjør

Rettferdiggjør is a Norwegian verb meaning to justify, vindicate, or defend a claim, action, or decision by presenting reasons, evidence, or arguments. The term can refer to making something appear fair or reasonable, as well as to proving the legitimacy of a measure in formal contexts.

The noun forms are rettferdiggjørelse or rettferdiggjøring, both used to denote justification or vindication. The word is commonly found in legal, political, administrative, and journalistic writing, as well as in everyday speech when someone argues that a choice or policy is warranted. It is often paired with a specific object, such as rettferdiggjøre en beslutning or rettferdiggjøre en påstand. In everyday language, synonyms like begrunne or forklare may be used, but rettferdiggjøre carries a stronger sense of defending against critique.

Etymologically, rettferdiggjør is built from rettferdig (just, fair) and gjøre (to make), conveying the idea of making something justifiable. The closest related noun is rettferdiggjørelse, the act or result of providing justification. In Norwegian language variations, bokmål uses the infinitive å rettferdiggjøre and the present tense form rettferdiggjør, while nynorsk uses å rettferdiggjere with corresponding present-tense forms.

Usage notes: rettferdiggjøre tends to appear in formal or argumentative writing, legal discourse, and media coverage of controversial decisions. It implies not only explanation but also defense against accusations of unfairness or impropriety. In more general contexts, begrunne or forklare may be more appropriate.