begründeten

Begründeten is a form of the German word begründet, and it has two main grammatical functions. It can be the simple past (Präteritum) form of the verb begründen, used for third-person plural: “Sie begründeten die Entscheidung.” It can also function as the attributive, declined form of the adjective begründet, meaning well-founded or justified, when it modifies a plural noun: “die begründeten Zweifel,” “mit begründeten Argumenten.” In the latter role, begründeten is the ending that corresponds to plural nouns in the nominative or accusative case.

Origins and meaning. Begründen comes from the root Grund, meaning ground or basis, with the prefix be- adding a sense of giving, providing, or establishing justification. The adjective begründet communicates that something has a solid grounding or rationale, rather than being arbitrary or unfounded. As a noun would be Begründung (justification, justification).

Usage and nuances. The term is common in formal and analytical writing, especially when discussing claims, fears, accusations, or decisions that have a demonstrable basis. The opposite is unbegründet or unberechtigt, meaning unfounded or unjustified. The plural attributive form triads with nouns in plural: begründete Gründe (well-founded reasons), begründete Beschwerden (well-founded complaints). In perfect tense constructions, the past participle begründet is used with auxiliary haben: “Sie hat die Entscheidung begründet.”

Related terms. Begründen (to found, to justify), Begründung (justification, rationale), begründet (adjective form or past participle in singular). The concept centers on providing a basis, rationale, or evidence for a claim, action, or belief.