põhjendatavad

Põhjendatavad is an Estonian adjective meaning capable of being justified or defensible. It is used to describe statements, reasons, actions, costs, or decisions that have adequate justification or rationale. The term is derived from the verb põhjendama, which means to justify or to provide reasons, with the suffix -atav indicating capability.

In formal language, põhjendatavad is commonly applied in legal, administrative, academic, and policy contexts. For example, pöhjendatavad kulutused refers to expenses that can be justified, while põhjendatavad otsused refers to decisions that can be defended with reasons. The word helps distinguish between what is backed by evidence or rationale and what lacks justification.

Põhjendatavad contrasts with forms used to express lack of justification. Common negations include ebapõhjendatud or mittepõhjendatud, meaning not justified or unfounded. The related noun for the concept is põhjendatavus, or occasionally justifiability, and põhjus or põhjendus can be used for the underlying reasons or justification.

Grammatically, põhjendatavad is the plural nominative form of the participial adjective причина põhjendatav (singular: põhjendatav). It is typical in Estonian to attach the plural ending -vad or -ad to participial adjectives when describing plural nouns.

See also: põhjendus (justification or argument), põhjendatavus (justifiability), ebapõhjendatud (unjustified). The term is part of a broader vocabulary for evaluating the adequacy of reasons, claims, or financial expenditures in formal discourse.