gerechtfertigter

Gerechtfertigter is a German adjective form derived from gerechtfertigen, meaning to justify, and is used to indicate that something is warranted or justified. It is commonly used in both everyday language and more formal contexts to describe reasons, actions, or provisions that have justification.

Grammatical use and declension

Gerechtfertigter is primarily used attributively before masculine singular nouns. For example: der gerechtfertigte Grund (the justified reason) or einen gerechtfertigten Grund (a justified reason in the accusative). The form adapts to other genders and numbers according to standard German adjective endings: feminine nouns take gerechtfertigte, neuter nouns take gerechtfertiges, and plural forms use gerechtfertigte. In contexts with definite articles, you would say der gerechtfertigte Grund, die gerechtfertigte Maßnahme, das gerechtfertigte Vorgehen.

Semantic range

The term covers legal, ethical, and practical senses of justification. In law, it may describe a measure, intervention, or emergency that is legally warranted. In ethics and everyday argumentation, it denotes something that has valid justification or a defensible basis. In philosophy or epistemology, it can appear in phrases such as gerechtfertigte Überzeugung, the German equivalent of justified belief, though more common translations center on Rechtfertigung or Rechtmäßigkeit for the underlying noun concepts.

Related terms

Related concepts include Rechtfertigung (justification), rechtmäßig (legitimate), and berechtigt (authorized/entitled). While gerechtfertigter can be used as a standalone adjective, the noun Rechtfertigung is the standard term for the act or process of justification, and Rechtmäßigkeit for legitimacy.

Usage note

Gerechtfertigter is a typical attributive adjective in German; it is less common to encounter it as a standalone noun. Its precise form follows standard German adjective declension rules.