Rettferdiggjøre

Rettferdiggjøre is a Norwegian verb meaning to provide justification for something, to defend as right or acceptable, or to give reasons or evidence that support a claim, decision, or action. The sense is to make a case that what is being done or proposed is warranted.

Etymology and usage: the word is formed from rettferdig (just, fair) and gjøre (to do), literally meaning to make something just. It is commonly used in formal or analytical contexts, such as politics, law, business, and academic writing. It often follows with a direct object: rettferdiggjøre noe.

Conjugation and forms: in Bokmål Norwegian the verb is regular in basic forms. presens: rettferdiggjør; preteritum: rettferdiggjorde; perfektum partisipp: rettferdiggjort. Perfect tense is formed with har rettferdiggjort; the imperative is rettferdiggjør.

Examples of use:

- Lederen måtte rettferdiggjøre beslutningen for styret.

- Advokaten rettferdiggjorde klientens påstander med dokumentasjon.

- Staten bør rettferdiggjøre kostnadene ved prosjektet overfor skattebetalerne.

Related concepts: rettferdiggjøre is closely related to begrunne (to give grounds) and forklare (to explain). While begrunne emphasizes providing grounds, rettferdiggjøre stresses arguing that something is fair or justified, often with evidence or normative justification. It is distinct from bevisst eller bevise (to prove) in that it can rely on reasoning, norms, or consensus rather than only empirical proof.

See also: begrunnelse, grunnlag, forklaring.