verantworten

Verantworten is a German verb meaning to be responsible for something, to account for it, or to answer for it. It covers taking responsibility for actions, decisions, or outcomes, and can also imply justification or defense of a choice. In formal or organizational language it is common to say that a department or person “verantwortet” particular results.

Etymology and related forms: The verb is formed with the prefix ver- added to antworten (to answer). From this root the noun Verantwortung (responsibility) and the adjective verantwortungsvoll (responsible) are derived. The prefix ver- here signals attribution, accountability or justification rather than literal answering.

Usage and nuances: Verantwoorden is transitive and typically takes a direct object representing what is being accounted for: Die Abteilung verantwortet die Kosten (the department bears the costs). It can also express that someone is responsible in a broader sense, often with a broader frame such as für + Akk.: Er ist verantwortlich für das Projekt. In legal or justificatory contexts, one can say Er konnte seine Entscheidung gut verantworten.

Conjugation and forms: The verb behaves like a regular verb with the prefix ver-. The past participle is verantwortet and is used with haben to form the perfect: Die Abteilung hat die Kosten verantwortet. The present tense forms align with those of beantworten/antworten, but with the ver- prefix.

See also: Verantwortung, verantwortlich, Verantwortlichkeit.